BusinessMirror August 28, 2023

Cost of plastic waste cleanup to hit $297M

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

THE total clean-up of plastic pollution in seven major rivers across Southeast Asia will cost $297 million, according to environment experts.

T his is according to an Asian Development Blog penned by National University of Singapore Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions and Tropical Marine Science Institute’s Audrey Tan and Asian Development Bank’s Francesco Ricciardi.

Tan and Ricciardi said plastic pollution is costing Southeast Asian countries $23,100 to $270,000 per square kilometer of coral reef.

“As government coffers are limited, the private sector has to be brought into the discussions. That requires a pipeline of projects that not only meet environmental targets but are also profit-making. Such projects, however, are few and far between,” the experts said.

Citing a 2021 ADB report, Tan and Ricciardi said there is an annual funding gap of $459

billion that needs to be filled before countries can fully access opportunities in sustainable coastal infrastructure, wastewater treat ment, sustainable tourism and food production.

O ne recommendation to plug this gap is through blended finance—the combination of public and private capital. But other innovative financial tools could also help, the authors said.

T hese innovative financial tools include the rise of carbon markets which could inject new funds for ocean conservation through the sale of carbon credits from the

protection of coastal or marine habitats like mangroves.

T he list includes blue bonds and insurance schemes that are also being developed to improve the resilience of coastal habitats.

“Parametric insurance schemes that pay out for reef restoration after a hurricane have been rolled out to protect the Mesoamerican reef, and similar schemes are being developed for Asia and the Pacific,” the experts said.

Continued on A4

H1 GROSS BORROWINGS

SWELLS TO OVER P1.3T

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE Marcos Jr. administration’s gross borrowings in the first half rose by nearly a third on an annual basis to over P1.3 trillion on the back of higher external and domestic borrowings.

L atest Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) data showed that the state has borrowed a gross total of P1.326 trillion during the six-month period, about 29.84 percent higher than the P1.02 trillion it recorded in the same period of last year.

T he nearly 30-percent increase in borrowings was driven by the double-digit growth rate in the national government’s external and domestic borrowings.

T he national government’s total gross borrowings from January to June is already 60 percent of its full-year programmed borrowing amount of P2.207 trillion this year.

Treasury data showed gross external borrowings reached P366.441 billion during the reference period, about 11.26 percent higher than the P329.336 billion recorded amount in the first half of last year.

T he increase in external borrowings was caused by the P163.607 billion dollar-denominated multitranche global bonds sold by the state in January.

L ikewise, the state’s external borrowings through project loans and program loans rose on a yearon-year basis.

Treasury data showed that project loans expanded by 23 percent to P57.775 billion, while program loans increased by 6.19 percent to P145.059 billion.

Locally, the national government borrowed a total gross amount of P1.056 trillion from the domestic market during the January-to-June period. The amount was 42.52 percent higher than the P741.263 billion it borrowed domestically last year.

T he increase in domestic borrowings was driven by higher fixed rate treasury bonds (T-bonds) sold by the Treasury during the sixmonth period.

Treasury data showed T-bonds sold from January to June reached P686.150 billion, 28.16 percent higher than the P535.382 billion recorded amount in the same period of last year.

TRAVEL AGENCIES SPEAK UP ON NEW DEPARTURE RULES

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM

Special to the BusinessMirror

GOVERNMENT’S new outbound travel rules will probably do little to solve the problem of human trafficking and likely harass legitimate Filipino travelers just off to vacation abroad.

I really don’t agree with this whole thing,” said Aileen Clemente, president of the 50-year-old Rajah Travel Corp., one of the leaders in the outbound travel business. “There is a Data Privacy Act [and] some required documents violate that, even almost unconstitutional to an extent,” she told the BusinessMirror

This also makes it “prone to more harassment,” she added, where some unscrupulous Immigration officers may unnecessarily detain the traveler and demand something in return before allowing him to travel.

S he likewise wanted to find out “what percentage of those

traveling abroad fall under human trafficking, that warrant these checks? Is it that big at the airports, given [government’s] definition of voluntary and involuntary travelers?”

I n other countries, she noted, there are no outbound Immigration rules: “They’re just for inbound travelers, because they have an Advance Passenger Information System and their records with other Immigration authorities abroad and/or Interpol, Department of Homeland Security and the like are accessible.”

‘Ironic,’ says Ping

THE newly-announced protocols have already been lambasted by the public, with former Senator Panfilo Lacson even X’ing on August 26: “Simplifying visa applications for foreign tourists visiting the Philippines while complicating the requirements for Filipinos traveling to other countries is the most annoying irony in our nation’s history.”

THE Philippine Die and Mold Association (PDMA) expects to regain the local industry’s prepandemic production levels no later than 2025.

PDMA President George Ong told reporters recently that the industry is already 75 percent to 80 percent of prepandemic level of production.

O ng said demand is still weak, especially in China. The manufacturing export industry has been “down” and this has also affected Philippine-based industries, including the die and mold industry.

Well, very hard to say [when we will recover to prepandemic levels] but I hope that by next year, that’s the projection 2024 or 2025. Maybe mid-year na. So probably if not [by the] end of 2024, maybe mid-year of 2025,” Ong said.

Ong said his company as a whole is around 90 percent recovered from the pandemic. He said it is possible that by the end of the year, they may already reach their prepandemic levels.

He said the industry has also received help from the government to recover from the pandemic. The

Metal Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), he said, has “done a lot to help the MSMEs [micro, small, and medium enterprises] to recover.”

“ The government as a whole, they offered let’s say loans to MSMEs as long as they qualify; they offer loans during those lean production times so that people won’t be laid off,” Ong said.

Still, he added, “I think it should be fine, getting better, you know [how in] pandemic time [that’s quite] rock bottom, so I think everybody is on...recovery [mode]. Some are faster, some are probably a little bit slower,” he added.

I n a recent speech, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso O. Panga said the Die and Mold Industry has been a crucial component of the economy. Based on Peza data, Panga said there were 4,372 die and mold firms operating in ecozones. He said the industry is Peza’s biggest investors, accounting for 65 percent of the exports from the economic zones.

NERVE AGENTS, POISON AND WINDOW FALLS. OVER THE YEARS, KREMLIN FOES HAVE BEEN ATTACKED OR KILLED

Biz groups ask Ombudsman: Revisit case of airport execs

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

MAJOR business organizations in the country have appealed to the Office of the Ombudsman to review its decision to dismiss Cesar Chiong and Irene Montalbo as the top executives of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), saying these officials implemented the mission entrusted to them by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to improve the national international airport and upgrade it to global standards.

“ We, the undersigned business organizations, express our support for Transportation Sec. Jaime Bautista, Cesar Chiong, and Irene Montalbo amid the Ombudsman’s order to dismiss Mr. Chiong and Ms. Montalbo as the top executives of the Manila International Airport Authority [Miaa],” the business groups said in a joint statement on Friday.

T he business groups who expressed support for the Miaa officials are: Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and IndustryInc. (FFCCCII), Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex), Makati Business Club (MBC), IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (Ibpap), Semiconductor and

Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (Seipi), Justice Reform Initiative (JRI), Integrity Initiative and Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals.

A ccording to local reports, the Office of the Ombudsman, in a 21page decision on August 4, ordered the dismissal of the Miaa officials for grave abuse of authority and misconduct.

T he decision stemmed from Chiong becoming the subject of an anonymous complaint after implementing a plan to reassign 285 personnel to enhance airport services and efficiency.

C hiong’s camp, in a statement said, it is worth noting that Chiong’s predecessors reassigned even larger

numbers of personnel without facing any legal repercussions. Former M/Gen. Jose Angel Honrado (Ret.) reassigned 646 employees, while Eddie Monreal reassigned 397 personnel during comparable periods, Chiong said in his petition with the Court of Appeals filed long before the dismissal decision of the Ombudsman.

Nearly 800 airport personnel have also rallied behind Chiong and Montalbo by signing a manifesto, saying “only now have they experienced transparent and honest management in the agency.” (Full story here: https:// businessmirror .com.ph/2023/08/18/ chiong-resolute-in-fight-vs-airport-reforms-opposers-lists-accomplishments-as-miaa-chief/)

“

Mr. Chiong and Ms. Montalbo have exhibited exemplary work as managers of the airport,” the business groups said.

I n fact, the business groups said, Chiong and Montalbo made “substantial positive changes” that have helped result, among others, in the collection of longoutstanding receivables that contributed to a “robust” cash balance of P15 billion.

Moreover, the groups said, “They reported an impressive income of P1.9 billion in 2022, a striking turnaround from the combined losses of P3.6 billion suffered in 2020 and 2021.”

T-bills

MEANWHILE , Treasury data showed that the amount borrowed by the national government through T-bills reached P86.584 billion.

O n the realignment of airport personnel, the business groups quoted Chiong’s statement that he exercised his “management prerogative” to streamline operations, reduce losses, and improve finances.

“ Rotation of key personnel is a routine vital internal control procedure of management that is applied to improve efficiency and ensure integrity. And has been done in the past without any problem,” the business groups explained further.

D ismissing Chiong and Montalbo for implementing a normal management practice may discourage other officials from employing this important tool to improve efficiency and fight corruption, the groups said.

T he groups fretted that it may send the “wrong message” that instituting reforms in government is “hazardous” to one’s career.

T he groups stressed they recognize the authority and ruling of the Ombudsman, but hope nonetheless he would be open to revisiting the case.

We would welcome and support a review by the Ombudsman, to reverse this decision and reinstate Chiong and Montalbo in their positions as general manager and assistant general manager,” the business groups’ joint statement said.

T he groups said returning the two officials would keep MIAA “on track of better management and the improved services and experience that passengers demand.”

D oing so would help boost the economy in general, tourism in particular, and jobs most of all, they said.

T he national government also raised P283.763 billion in retail Tbonds, 38 percent lower than the P457.799 billion recorded amount

A mong the new protocols announced by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (Iacat)  include documentary requirements especially for self-funded travelers like a confirmed return ticket, proof of accommodation abroad, proof they earn enough to travel, and a certificate of employment. Other documents are asked of travelers, whose trips are sponsored, and departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).  (See, “IACAT to implement stricter departure protocols for overseas travelers in September,” in the BusinessMirror , August 22, 2023.)

F or his part, Richie Tuaño, chairman and general of Asiareps Travel Services Inc., said he and his clients were initially anxious because of the new rules. “However, noting that these clients were legitimate leisure travelers and very financially-capable, I told them not to worry and this will likely apply to first-time travelers, or those with no genuine reason to travel as tourist.”

He added, their agency has long been briefing their clients, especially first-time travelers, prior to departure. “We do assure them [that there won’t be issues upon departure] but up to  a certain point.  We make them aware that they can be asked routine questions to ensure the genuineness of the purpose of their travel, which is the discretion or the Immigration officer.”

last year, according to Treasury data. T he national government has programmed to borrow P553.5 billion externally and P1.653 billion internally this year. Bulk of the national government’s total gross borrowings this year would come from T-bonds at nearly P1.6 billion.

Will it solve faking of documents?

DATA from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) showed some 3.92 million Filipinos traveled abroad from January to December 27, 2022. Meanwhile, Clemente, former vice chair of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, pointed out Filipinos who have been “kidnapped” or trafficked have been able to leave the country using fake documents. “Will the new departure guidelines be able to [prevent] this if the issue is how well can the Immigration officers detect these falsified documents?”

S he said the new departure rules duplicate the function of foreign embassies, which require the same documents before issuing travel visas to Filipinos, while the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency already processes documents of OFWs, who even have to attend predeparture orientations prior to working in their host countries.

Tuaño said it was “irresponsible” of the IACAT to announce the new protocols like “a shotgun approach for a supposed legitimate intention of curtailing human trafficking. However, there was no concern who will be hit by the shotgun approach as opposed to releasing guidelines to a specific target audience.” The Department of Justice, parent agency of the BI and chair of the Iacat, has already clarified that the new departure protocols will “mostly apply to first-time travelers.”

He added that the Iacat is allowing immigration officers to exercise “subjective judgment, whims, and discretion” on departing passengers. “ I am afraid that’s where extortion, harassment, and corruption will arise,” he stressed.

R odriguez urged the Iacat to scrap its stricter rules while there is still time to do so.

R odriguez said it is unreasonable and unjustifiable for the council to subject all Filipino travelers to stricter rules so the agency could collar traffickers and trafficking victims.

H e said human traffickers, clever as they are, could even go around the additional regulations by providing their victims with show money.

“ In this digital age and with internet banking, it would be very easy for a trafficker to transfer some funds to his or her victim and for the latter to return the money once she or he clears immigration or reaches her or his destination,” he added.

He pointed out that the harsher rules would also surely create long queues at immigration counters.

U nder the revised Iacat rules, the required travel documents for tourists now consist of a passport valid for at least six months before the date of departure, a valid visa, a boarding pass, a confirmed return or roundtrip ticket, proof of hotel, proof of financial capacity or source of income consistent with the passenger’s declared purpose of travel, proof of employment, and other equivalent evidence.

T here are other additional requirements for migrant workers and other Filipinos going abroad on “sponsored travel.”

Panga also noted that Peza registered a total of 285 projects engaged in the die and mold sector that generated, as of June 2023, about P23.491 billion in cumulative investments and created 35,487 direct jobs for our Filipino workers.

T hese projects contributed to Peza’s consistent positive performance, with investments this year already totaling P97.163 billion, three times larger compared to the same period last year, he noted.

“ We owe our success to PDMA and ecozone developer and locator companies, and our industry partners for the strong commitment to promoting a thriving business environment and in driving sustainable development, skills improvement, and job generation particularly in the ecozones,” Panga said.

T he industry’s contribution is vital to the growth of domestic and export manufacturing in the country, he added. Its steady growth over the years is helping position the Philippines as a reliable source of high-quality molds and dies, catering to both domestic and international markets.

He noted that the semiconductorelectronics, automotive, and aerospace sectors benefited from the integration of local die and mold companies into the ecozone value chain.

“ Your industry is critical as it is considered a backbone of not only the small and medium enterprises

A similar initiative in Balanga City is in partnership with SM Prime Holdings Inc. and Tinig ng Mandaragat. Mangrove forests are natural barriers that reduce the force of incoming waves and storm surges and serve as a breeding ground for fish, crabs, and other marine species.

D ENR’s Project TRANSFORM engages the whole of society in implementing initiatives to alleviate poverty, improve community resil -

[SME] but an essential pillar in industrial development,” Panga said. “ It is said that the design and manufacture of dies and molds represent a significant link in the entire production chain because nearly all mass-produced discrete parts are formed using processes that employ dies and molds,” he added.

Efforts to grow the die and mold industry include the recent collaboration with the Korean government, which provided a $6.3-million grant for manpower training in CNC machining, precision tooling, mold designing, and production of various dies and molds.

T hrough the program, Panga said Peza can help grow the metals, plastics and engineering sectors that serve the requirements of downstream manufacturing companies as well as the local and export coremanufacturing industry.

T he grant was extended to the DOST-MIRDC, DTI-BOI, and PDMA on the establishment of the Mold and Die Technology Support Center (MTSC) at the Cavite Economic Zone.

Panga said the Philippine Die and Mold Industry and Peza enjoy a long partnership that started in the 1990’s when Peza was created on February 25, 1995 by virtue of RA 7916. T he law envisioned the creation of a government body that would champion and accelerate Philippine Industrialization through the ecozones.  Cai U. Ordinario

ience, and promote public-private partnerships. Pilot sites of Project TRANSFORM in Visayas are in Ormoc City, Leyte which was launched on January 18, and then in Luzon with the municipalities of Limay, Mariveles, and Orion in Bataan province on May 9; followed by the municipalities Malimono, San Francisco, and Burgos in Surigao del Norte in Mindanao launched on June 23.

•

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Court OKs search warrant vs Kapa in Ponzi-scheme lawsuit

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

THE Court of Appeals has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by officers and agents of Kapa-Community Ministry International Inc. (Kapa) seeking the reversal of the CA decision allowing authorities to collect evidence in connection with the group’s alleged involvement in a P50-billion Ponzi investment scheme.

In a 3-page resolution, the CA Thirteenth Division did not give merit to the grounds raised by Kapa in a motion for reconsideration (MR) the group filed last May 12.

In its MR, Kapa argued that the Supreme Court (SC) did not authorize the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila Branch 20 to issue and implement the subject search warrants outside of its jurisdiction. It added that the search warrants were implemented in violation of the Rules on the Use of BodyWorn Cameras (BWCs) in the Execution of Warrants issued by the SC.

Kapa further claimed that the search warrants were issued based on doubtful,

hearsay and inconsistent testimonies and documents that were not thoroughly validated and authenticated, thus, evidence obtained in the implementation of the said search warrants must be suppressed and declared inadmissible in any proceedings.

However, the CA ruled that the rules on the use of BWCs in the execution of warrants issued on June 29, 2021, was applicable to pending and unimplemented warrants.

“At the time of the issuance of the subject search warrants, this administrative matter was not yet promulgated or effective,” the CA ruled.

“As the other arguments submitted by petitioner, the Court finds them exactly the same as the arguments and issues that have already been passed upon and settled in the decision dated March 27, 2023, being sought to be considered,” it added.

In its March 27, ruling, the CA junked the petition filed by Kapa through its representative Pastor Joel A. Apolinario seeking to quash the subject search warrants.

Kapa elevated the issue before the CA

Bill to amend 4Ps law endorsed for Senate OK

THE House of Representatives has endorsed for Senate approval the measure promoting inclusive education, entrepreneurship and employment for sustainable development among adult beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

House Bill (HB) 8497 was approved last week to amend for the purpose Republic Act (RA) 11310, or the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Act.”

“4Ps is the national government’s flagship poverty reduction initiative. The bill amends Section 2 of RA 11310 so that the law may

promote education among adult male beneficiaries through alternative learning systems, entrepreneurship training and employment training to achieve sustainable development,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said. Romualdez said it further provides that the community mobilization grant, which refers to a conditional cash transfer that is used to finance meals and transportation related to the availment of adult education, “must not be lower than P500 per instance per adult beneficiary of the adult education program.”

The 4Ps law currently provides conditional

after the trial court denied its petition and motion for reconsideration in 2019 seeking the quashal and the recall of the search warrants and to suppress the evidence seized through the said warrants.

The search warrants issued by the Manila RTC Branch 20 covers Kapa’s offices in Quezon City, Sarangani Province, General Santos City, Taytay, Rizal, Compostela, among others, where the alleged illegal investment scheme was being conducted.

The NBI sought the issuance of the search warrants in connection with the complaint filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2019 against Kapa for violation of Sections 8 and 26, in relation to Section 73, of the Securities Regulation Code and eight counts of syndicated estafa as defined and penalized in Presidential Decree 1689.

Section 8 of the SRC states that “no person shall engaged in the business of buying or selling securities in the Philippines as a broker or dealer, or act as a salesman, or an associated person of any broker or dealer unless registered with the SEC.”

cash transfer grants of at least P300 per month per child for a maximum of 10 months per year for children enrolled in daycare and elementary programs; at least P500 per month per child for up to 10 months per year for children enrolled in junior high school; and at least P700 per month per child for up to 10 months per year for senior high school.

The measure gave further details on the proposed adult education component of the 4Ps law, as it indicated that “at least one adult beneficiary must join and complete” any of the following tracks of adult education: non-formal education through the ALS track of the Department of Education (DepEd); the

The complaint was filed on behalf of three investors of Kapa who claimed they were duped by its officers into investing their hard earned money with guaranteed high returns.

Petitioner’s illegal activities revolve around the scheme of soliciting money, in the guise of investment, from the public with a promise of 30 percent return or interest per month.

Based on the records of the SEC, Kapa has no license or permit to sell or offer for sale, or distribution of securities within the Philippines as certified to by the SEC’s Markets and Securities Regulation Department (MSRD), the Corporate Governance and Finance Department (CGFD) and the Company Registration and Monitoring Department (CRMD).

With regard to the crime of syndicated estafa, the NBI said this was proven when an NBI team went to Kapa offices to investigate and conduct case build-up and personally witnessed the pyramiding activities of Kapa.

It recounted that the team composed of NBI agents even invested money to Kapa offices as poseur investors just to verify its illegal activities.

Petitioner’s illegal activities revolve around the scheme of soliciting money, in the guise of investment, from the public with a promise of 30 percent return or interest per month.

entrepreneurship track of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); and, the employment track of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) or their accredited private sector and civil society organizations. The entrepreneurship track refers to interventions that focus on the establishment of microenterprises through enhancement of skills, provision of financial capital and building or rebuilding physical and natural assets and cover product development, marketing and basic business finance.

“The availment of adult education shall

Ibon urges govt to provide more support to MSMEs

ECONOMIC think tank Ibon Foundation on Saturday urged the national government to allot more support and resources to the country’s small-scale, micro-sized and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), especially those in the agricultural and industrial sectors.

During a forum, Ibon Foundation Executive Director Jose Enrique A. Africa said they “are firm believers that MSMEs should always be supported.”

“In fact, we welcome any government announcements that would support MSMEs,” Africa said. “But the pronouncements should be backed up with actual practice.”

He added that while infrastructure is getting P1.4 trillion from the national budget, the government’s MSME Development Program will only get P1.8 billion. This will be complemented by a P1-billion fund from government financial institution Small Business Corp.

Furthermore, Africa said the government must pursue a long-term roadmap developing the capabilities of MSMEs in the agricultural and industrial sectors. In the short-term, Africa said the government is focused on supporting MSMEs in the retail and restaurant industries.

“This is the current reality in the Philippine economy because these businesses need to be afloat.”

commence on the second year of enrollment in the 4Ps,” the bill said.

As per the bill, adult education refers to interventions that improve technical or professional qualifications, further develop abilities, or acquire or enrich knowledge, skills and competencies in a new field through an alternative learning system track, an entrepreneurship track, or an employment track.

The measure also provides for post-skills training following the beneficiaries’ completion of their selected adult education track.

It said that adult-education beneficiaries who successfully completed the entrepreneurship track shall be given assistance by the DTI

Nevertheless, Africa said the government must support agricultural and industrial MSMEs because they can generate more employment and can contribute more to the growth of the economy. He added that support to the MSMEs must also include technology transfer, access to market and capital, finance, among others.

Aside from providing bigger financial support, Africa said the government must look at the bigger picture in supporting MSMEs. MSMEs not only need a bigger budget but must also be provided protection from imports to achieve sustainable growth, he added.

Africa said this would be a huge task since developed countries such as the United States and China have the capability and industrial muscle to produce cheaper goods.

“At first glance, it seems more practical to buy imported products but, at the same time, the country is deprived of developing the MSMEs and the economy,” he said.

“By continuing to import products, the country is ‘exporting’ jobs to these countries because we continue to patronize their products,” Africa added.

Right now, he said the MSMEs are not receiving broad-based support from the government. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

to ensure the ease of establishing a micro or small business enterprise and the link to the target clientele of the 4Ps entrepreneur.

Meanwhile, adult-education beneficiaries who successfully completed the employment track shall be given job facilitation assistance by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Lastly, the adult education beneficiaries who successfully completed non-formal education using the ALS track by the DepEd until they finish senior high school shall be given assistance to ensure their pursuit of higher learning or employment.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

CA affirms warrant of arrest for ‘Yanson Four’ Proposal to ban use of plastic in election campaign backed

By VG Cabuag @Villygc

ANEW Court of Appeals (CA) order has affirmed a warrant of arrest and hold departure order issued by a Bacolod City court against four Yanson siblings.

“This development stabilizes the management team headed by Leo Rey V. Yanson as president of Vallacar Transit Inc., and thereby ensuring the continuity of the transport company to serve the public,” Vallacar Transit was quoted in a statement as saying.

Vallacar Transit is the country’s largest bus liner that includes brands such as Ceres Bus.

In a resolution dated June 21, the 19th Division of the Court of Appeals in Cebu City declared that the Bacolod court’s order dated December 2, 2022, finding probable cause for qualified theft against Roy V. Yanson, Ricardo V. Yanson Jr., Ma. Lourdes Celina Yanson-Lopez and Emily V. Yanson;

also known as the “Yanson Four” siblings.

The Bacolod court order “was an exercise of her inherent power to amend and control the court’s processes and orders as to make them expeditious and still conformable to law,” the CA said.

The four Yanson siblings filed a motion for reconsideration and supplemental motions before the CA to challenge the warrant of arrest and hold departure order issued against them by Bacolod City Regional Trial Court Branch 44 Presiding Judge Ana Celeste Piñero-Bernad on December 2, 2022, in Criminal Case 20-52097.

In its June 21, 2023, resolution, the CA’s 19th Division, chaired by Associate Justice Marilyn Lagura-Yap with concurrence by Associate Justices Jacinto G. Fajardo Jr. and Regelio G. Lagro, affirmed the local court’s order and denied the Yanson four’s motion for reconsideration and supplemental motions.

The CA further clarified that the Bacolod court’s “order is a determination of probable

cause for the issuance of warrant of arrest against petitioners, that is already an independent issuance that was not among the matters embraced by the petition.”

On July 7, 2019, the “Yanson Four” called for a special board meeting and removed Leo Rey V. Yanson as president of Vallacar Transit. He was replaced with Roy, the siblings eldest. Leo Rey then filed Commercial Case 19-118 to question his removal and asked the court to nullify the board meeting and reinstate him as president of the company.

Court documents said that the “Yanson Four” took over Vallacar Transit’s head office from July 7 to August 5, 2019, with the help of security guards from AY 76 Security Specialists Inc. whom they hired to replace the guards of Armor Guard Negros Security Agency.

On August 7 and 9, 2019, Leo Rey and his supporters, including Hernan B. Omecillo and some personnel from the Philippine National Police regained control of Vallacar Transit’s premises. They re-installed the guards

Sen. Go lauds signing of Regional Specialty Centers Act

SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong”

T. Go, principal sponsor and one of the authors of the Regional Specialty Centers (RSC) Act, commended the signing of the measure into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for recognizing the importance of this legislation and signing it into law. His support has been instrumental in bringing specialized medical care closer to our fellow Filipinos,” Go said.

“Walang Pilipino ang dapat mapagiwanan pagdating sa kalusugan Ang bawat Pilipino ay may karapatan sa de-kalidad na serbisyong medikal, kahit saan man sila sa bansa,” he stressed.

The law aims to create additional specialty centers in various regions, ensuring that Filipinos have access to specialized medical services.

“With the signing of this law, we are taking a giant leap in improving access to specialized medical care and bringing these services closer to Filipinos in need,” said Go.

“Now, our countrymen suffering from severe illnesses won’t have to travel to Manila for treatment at specialty hospitals like the Philippine Heart Center or Lung Center,” he added.

The newly-enacted law includes provisions for the establishment of specialty centers

within existing government-controlled corporations or specialty hospitals. It also outlines the specific service capabilities that the Department of Health (DOH) will implement in regional hospitals.

“By setting clear standards, we are ensuring that these specialty centers will have the necessary expertise and resources to cater to patients’ specialized medical needs effectively across the country,” Go added.

The law also details the medical specialties that DOH must prioritize in the establishment of these centers. Go also expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts of his fellow legislators in crafting a comprehensive law.

“Isapongmalakingtagumpayparasaatin ang pagiging ganap na batas ng SBN 2212, o ang Regional Specialty Centers Act. Isa po tayosaauthor attayorinangprincipal sponsor nitosaSenado.Nakakuhaitong24-0naboto sa Senado dahil sa pagsang-ayon ng aking mga kasamahan na makakabuti ito para sa lahat,” Go shared.

“Angmgapasyentenanangangailangan ng special medical care ay kinakailangan pang bumiyahe at gumastos para lang magpagamot sa mga specialty hospitals na ito. Pero hindi naman dapat mahirapan ang ating mga kababayan na maka-access sa serbisyo ng gobyerno lalo na pagdating sa usaping kalusugan. Ang gobyerno dapat

ang maglapit ng serbisyo sa mga tao. Kaya sa ilalim ng bagong batas ay dadalhin na angganitong specialized medical services sa bawatrehiyon,” he added.

“Umaasatayonasapagtatayongspecialty centers sa buong bansa ay lalo nating mapalalakas ang ating healthcare system at magiging accessible sa bawat Pilipino ang serbisyong medikal na kailangan nila para magkaroon ng malusog at matiwasay na buhay,” the senator explained further.

According to DOH’s timeline, the establishment of specialty centers in the National Capital Region will take place in Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Tondo Medical Center, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Valenzuela Medical Center, Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center, Rizal Medical Center, and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium.

In Luzon, specialty centers will be established in Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Region I Medical Center, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, Cagayan Valley Medical Center, Region II Trauma and Medical Center, Southern Isabela Medical Center, Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center, Bataan General Hospital and Medical

Federalism push must be done in Marcos’s 2nd year–solons

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

IF the Chief Executive were to decide on a federal shift, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. should work on it during his second year in office, the chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments said.

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez issued a statement over the weekend as he welcomed the President’s push for federalism.

“He has enough political and popular support to do it successfully and make history,” Rodriguez said.

He noted that previous Charter amendment efforts failed because sitting administrations tried it toward the end of their term in office.

“People suspected the outgoing leaders of attempting to prolong their tenure. That killed the effort,” Rodriguez said.

“I laud and commend the President for saying all he has been doing is equivalent to the ‘first step of the federal government...in all but name’,” the lawmaker said.

Rodriguez said Marcos’s dispersal of central government powers to local government units (LGUs) is pursuant to the provisions of the Charter and the Local Government Code on empowering provinces, cities, towns and barangays.

“But his efforts toward federalism will fall short of his desired results if these are not done within a federal system of government enshrined in the Constitution. There should be an appropriate constitutional framework for his federalism goal,” he said.

“If he wants LGUs to be more autonomous, he should work toward shifting the nation to a federal system of government. This will require constitutional amendments,” Rodriguez added.

He also recommended that if Charter change was undertaken, amendments should also be introduced in the economic provisions of the Constitution.

“I am for lifting or relaxing the foreign investment and ownership limits so we could attract more foreign capital, which would translate to more job and income opportunities

Solon sees ‘OTOP’ tack developing PHL exports

ASENIOR lawmaker sees the enactment of the law institutionalizing the “One Town, One Product” (OTOP) program as “timely” as it “dovetails” with a recent directive by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for concerned government agencies to implement programs and projects meant to develop and promote Philippine exports.

Camarines Sur Rep. LRay F. Villafuerte said that Republic Act (RA) 11960, which institutionalized the OTOP program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), provides for a strategic program to round off the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023-2028.

for our people,” Rodriguez said.

The House of Representatives has passed a resolution and an implementing bill for the amendment of the Constitution, particularly its economic provisions.

Last week, Marcos urged the newly sworn-in members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) to uphold the ideology of the party by empowering local government units as decision-makers through the concept of federal governance.

Formed in 2018, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas is a national political party in the Philippines, chaired by President Marcos. The party is pushing for federalism in the Philippines.

Soundbite

ALBAY Rep. Edcel C. Lagman said the shift to federalism will remain a “gratuitous soundbite” so long as most local government units (LGUs) are destitute of fiscal autonomy.

“I am open to discussing federalism, which needs charter change, but the time for its adoption has not come considering the various adverse economic factors that currently

approval of the PEDP 2023-2028.

from AGNSA and conducted an inventory in the main office where it was discovered that several corporate properties, including furniture, equipment, documents and files, were missing, the court documents read.

Omecillo and other personnel executed affidavits for and in behalf of Vallacar Transit and sought the help of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Negros Occidental in filing complaints for robbery and qualified theft against the Yanson 4. Upon investigation of the CIDG, it was discovered that these properties were taken by Yanson four to the compound of Ceres Premium Foods Corp., a company controlled by Emily Yanson.

Established in 1968, Vallacar Transit was founded by the late Ricardo Yanson Sr. and his wife Olivia V. Yanson, which now services major routes across the archipelago.

A Bacolod City court, in an October 2021 decision, granted Olivia Yanson the mandate to oversee and administer the estate of her late husband Ricardo Yanson.

Center, Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital, Batangas Medical Center, Ospital ng Palawan, Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital, Bicol Medical Center, Bicol Region General Hospital, Geriatric Medical Center, Bicol Medical Center, and Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center.

The Visayas region will witness the creation of specialty centers in Western Visayas Medical Center, Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center, and Eastern Visayas Medical Center.

In Mindanao, specialty centers will be established in Zamboanga City Medical Center, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao Regional Medical Center, Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, Caraga Regional Hospital, Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center, and Amai Pakpak Medical Center.

“These specialty centers will reduce the need for travel to Metro Manila for specialized treatments. Our people will now have access to these services in regional DOH hospitals, enhancing their overall well-being and quality of life,” Go stated.

“Ang batas na ito ay simbolo ng ating pagkakaisaatdeterminasyonnagawingabotkamay ang specialized healthcare services parasalahat,” concluded Go.

pummel the economy,” he said.

Lagman said only four regions presently have the capacity to operate in a federal system, namely: Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and Metro Cebu.

“Federalism will waylay the development and progress of the other regions,” he said.

“Any talk on federalism must first be geared towards the full implementation of the GarciaMandanas Supreme Court ruling, which granted LGUs their belated rightful share in customs and tariff revenues,” he added.

Unfortunately, Lagman said Executive Order 138 of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte sequestered the bonanza for LGUs by mandating that devolved services like the construction of irrigation systems and school buildings must be funded from the LGUs’ additional revenues, many of which do not have the capacity and funds to undertake the devolved projects and programs.

“It is well that [the] President partially suspended the implementation of EO 138, but more than a temporary suspension, it must be repealed or abrogated to afford the LGUs full discretion on the utilization of their funds consistent with the allocation ratio provided for in the Local Government Code,” he added.

from a looming recession in the US and a global economic slowdown.”

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

ALOCAL waste and pollution

watchdog expressed support behind a proposed measure that will ban the use of plastic in election campaigns.

The EcoWaste Coalition issued last Sunday a statement of support behind Senate Bill 1762 filed by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo. SB 1762 seeks to amend Republic Act 9006 or the “Fair Election Act” as candidates for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) prepare to file their Certificates of Candidacy starting August 28.

As Tulfo’s proposed measure has not yet been enacted into law, the group is appealing to all BSKE candidates to voluntarily moderate their use of tarpaulins to woo voters, noting that most tarpaulins are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. The latter, according to the group, is produced using carcinogenic substances like vinyl chloride and cadmium.

The group further requested the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to use its powers to monitor, control and prevent the excessive and inappropriatelyplaced tarpaulins, including candidates’ promotional back-to-school, fiesta and related “greetings,” before, during and even after the official campaign period.

In recommending a prohibition on plastic posters, Tulfo noted the excessive use of tarpaulins during the campaign

season, which “mostly end up in landfills and sometimes in bodies of water, causing pollution and flood,” adding “they do not degrade quickly and may take 1,000 years to decompose.”

The senator, likewise, cited the results of the laboratory tests commissioned by the EcoWaste Coalition that detected cadmium, a carcinogen and renal toxin, on the campaign tarpaulins of some presidential aspirants in the elections held in 2022.

Laboratory tests commissioned by the group found 607 to 775 parts per million (ppm) of cadmium on the multicolored coatings and 384 to 546 ppm on the white sheet of six presidential campaign tarpaulins that were analyzed. Under the European Union’s “Cadmium Directive,” the total amount of cadmium on plastic, paint and polymer stabilizers should not exceed 100 ppm whatever their use or intended final purpose.

A side from cadmium, PVC plastic may contain lead pigment, stabilizer and phthalates to make such plastic soft and flexible. These additives can migrate from PVC products to consumers and may also be released to the environment when such products are dumped or burned, the group said.

The EcoWaste Coalition also pointed out that incinerating chlorinated plastics like PVC generates highly toxic by-product dioxins and furans, known as persistent organic pollutants targeted for continuing minimization and, where feasible, ultimate elimination under the “Stockholm Convention.”

Bill seeks giving free tuition to govt employees

TO provide a higher standard of service to the Filipino people, a lawmaker has proposed a measure that aims to provide free tuition to government employees aspiring to complete their master’s degrees at state universities and colleges (SUCs).

Under House Bill (HB) 8834 filed by Bicol Saro Partylist Representative Brian Raymund S. Yamsuan, the free-tuition benefits career and non-career service government employees and covers a master’s program of a maximum of two years in any SUC where they have successfully sought admission.

Yamsuan said the measure will promote career advancement and a culture of lifelong learning in government, which will in turn lead to a higher standard of service to the Filipino people.

It will also encourage civil service personnel to continue honing their skills amid the dynamic challenges faced by the Philippine public sector in this age of innovation and disruptive technologies, the lawmaker said.

“Apart from improving the quality of public service, we owe it to our government employees to assure them that as they tirelessly and generously provide their services and expertise on the one hand, the government backs their goals for career growth and professional development on the other,” Yamsuan said.

He pointed out that “in addition to experience, training, civil service eligibility, and performance rating, educational attainment plays a vital role in the meritbased selection and promotion of civil service employees.”

“Thus, this measure will not only boost our civil servants’ morale and job satisfaction,

it will also ensure employee retention, resulting in a more stable civil service,” he added.

HB 8834 was referred on first reading to the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education.

To qualify for the free tuition benefit, government employees must be employed for at least five years at any time after the effectivity of the proposed measure and should also pass the entrance tests and other admission and retention requirements of the SUC where he or she is applying for the master’s program.

Those who fail to complete the master’s degree within a year after the period prescribed in their graduate education program will be rendered ineligible for the benefit and charged the tuition and other school fees as determined by the governing board of the SUC where they were enrolled.

Government employees who were already granted any state-sponsored graduate education scholarship, whether public or private, here or overseas; those with pending administrative charges involving grave offenses; and those who fail to comply with the admission and retention policies of the SUC are ineligible to avail of the free tuition under the bill.

The amount required to implement this proposed Free Master’s Degree Tuition for Government Employees Act shall be determined by the respective governing boards of SUCs based on the projected number of enrollees for each academic year, which shall be the primary factor in computing the annual proposed budget of SUCs, the bill said.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Cost of plastic waste cleanup to hit $297M

Continued from A1

The administration is banking on PEDP to make our products more competitive overseas and our economy more resilient and inclusive post-pandemic by energizing micro-scale, small-sized and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

“This newly signed OTOP Law will prop up PEDP 2023-2028, which aims to transform our country into an export powerhouse of high-value products and services before or by the time President Marcos leaves office in 2028,” said Villafuerte, who co-authored RA 11960. The Palace issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 23 on June 20 in step with the President’s

Sixty days after the effectivity of MC 23, concerned agencies must submit to the Export Development Council (EDC) and to the Executive Secretary an inventory of relevant programs, activities and projects that are aligned with the strategies under the PEDP 2023-2028.

Villafuerte explained that the OTOP Law, which Marcos signed last week, seeks to support small entrepreneurs and stimulate economic activity, especially in the countryside.

He said the earlier approval by the 19th Congress of the OTOP bill was “timely as the President had just approved the DTI-drafted PEDP amid a weakening export sector resulting

He said the enactment of the OTOP Law is also well-timed as the Philippines has just joined the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the biggest free trade pact that could benefit Filipino exporters by way of possibly higher sales of their lower-taxed goods to other RCEP member economies.

“This OTOP Law will help shore up the medium-term PEDP and address the notso-favorable trade data in which exports suffered a two-digit dip in April arising from the risk of a recession in the US, which has dampened global demand for products,” Villafuerte said. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Tan and Ricciardi said addressing plastic pollution is important in climate change adaptation and mitigation. This is not only because of the costs but also the fact that over 70 percent of the earth is covered by water.

They said the sustainable use of ocean resources for development, improved livelihoods, and job creation are critical in the region and the world’s climate change efforts.

These efforts will go a long way, especially now that ocean temperatures are expected to hit their highest level in history.

The experts said this month, it is estimated that the global average daily sea surface temperatures will reach 20.96 degrees Celsius, breaking the 2016 record of 20.95 degrees Celsius, according to the Copernicus climate modelling service.

“ The world’s oceans play a critical role in regulating the climate. They put the

brakes on how fast the world is warming by absorbing vast amounts of heat and planet-warming carbon dioxide, and also make the higher latitudes more liveable by transferring heat from the tropics to the poles,” Tan and Ricciardi said.

They also noted that oceans present a wealth of untapped resources for cutting emissions, dealing with climate impacts and delivering co-benefits to communities and biodiversity.

The deep sea keeps carbon out of the atmosphere, mangroves protect communities from coastal disasters, and marine genetic resources pave the way for medical innovations—like fluorescent proteins in jellyfish that can help detect cancer. There is still much of the blue realm that humanity has yet to discover, but current knowledge of oceanic ecosystems already indicates they have immense value to societies,” Tan and Ricciardi said.

Traders: Palay prices rise as supply still tight

the “immediate” solution of the government for now, besides tasking farmers to continue planting rice to augment the production losses in previous typhoons.

Traders in Intercity Industrial Estate also said palay prices may continue to go up until next month, or just before the peak harvest season.

“This is because of the supply of rice in warehouses is still thin and also because there are only a few farmers who are harvesting the staple.”

Rice traders also noted that

other countries are already preparing for the possible impact of El Niño on production, particularly after India banned the export of non-basmati white rice and Vietnam and Thailand raised prices. Meanwhile, Bantay Bigas is urging the government to buy at least “20 [percent] to 25 percent” of the fresh rice harvests of Filipino farmers.

Climate change is helping pests and diseases destroy our food

Pests and diseases are exacerbating crop shortages that have sent prices for goods like cocoa, olive oil and orange juice soaring. th at’s set to become even more prevalent as extreme weather events multiply. Already, plant diseases cost the global economy over $220 billion every year, and invasive insects at least $70 billion, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture o rganization.

Pests adapt easily to the changing climate, with warmer temperatures allowing them to generate more quickly and migrate faster, in turn reducing crop yields, according to le ah Buchman, an entomologist at g e orgetown University.

“As temperature rise, you have this expanded geographic range and this expanded range of insects that will just increase those diseases that insects spread,” Buchman said.

As a result, destructive moths native to the Americas have been found devouring corn and other grains across Africa and Asia.

A whitefly associated with tropical and subtropical climates has been destroying tomato plantations in eu rope. Below are some of the crops that are struggling as the enemies that destroy them increase.

Cocoa

w e st Africa, home to two-thirds of global cocoa supply, has seen serious difficulties with its crop in recent seasons, causing wholesale prices to soar near historic highs this year. t w o diseases in particular have compounded the problem. Black pod disease is caused by fungal-like organisms that spread rapidly on cacao pods under humid conditions, turning them black or brown. It has caused destruction of up to 30 percent of annual cocoa crops, according to the several studies.

Prolonged periods of heavy rain combined with irregular patterns have increased opportunities for it to spread.

s w ollen shoot virus is transmitted via mealybugs that feed on the sap of cocoa plants, and significantly reduces crop yields before eventually killing the plant. m e alybugs thrive in warmer temperatures, and can spread the virus quickly even if only a single seedling is infected. Uprooting infected trees is the only way to control the disease, according to wo rld Agroforestry. About 20 percent of the cocoa crop in Ivory Coast is infected with swollen shoot, said s t eve wateridge, head of research at tropical r e search s e rvices.

Tomatoes

t h e price of tomatoes in India soared 700 percent last month, an increase so out of the ordinary that it has sparked social media memes comparing the cost of the essential ingredient with anything from petrol to political influence.

th e crop’s output took a hit amid delayed monsoon, heavy rains in some growing areas and hotter-than normal temperatures in June. But it has also suffered because of the so-called silverleaf whitefly. th e sap-feeding insect has the ability to transmit hundreds of plant viruses, crimping production of key crops like tomatoes, but also cassava, beans and sweet potatoes. In India, the highly infectious tomato leaf curl virus transmitted by the insect contributed to devastating losses. th e virus was recently introduced to eu rope, possibly from India and has been causing outbreaks in several eu ropean countries. th e insects have shown high adaptability to changes in

agro-ecosystems, with a combination of hot weather and high humidity resulting in the insects’ buildup.

Olives sPAIN , the world’s largest olive oil producer, is facing its own type of oil crisis as drought has caused output to dwindle, more than doubling wholesale costs in the past year. But it’s not only extreme heat and dryness that’s biting into eu ropean olive farmers’ production.

wi th temperatures in the region rising, fending off certain diseases has become more difficult. Xylella fastidiosa is “one of the most dangerous plant bacteria worldwide,” according to the e u ropean Commission, and has the potential to cause an annual production loss of €5.5 billion in the e U th e bacterium kills plants by clogging vessels that carry water from roots to leaves, slowly choking them to death.

te mperatures below -5C (23F) can reduce the disease viability, but with winter seasons reaching those temperatures less frequently, the distribution of suitable areas for the bacteria may change. In Italy, at least 20 million of the country’s 150 million olive trees have already been infected, mostly in the region of Puglia, which used to contribute up to 50 percent of Italy’s total annual olive oil production.

Grains

t h e global grains trade has faced trouble for a number of reasons, not least due to recent escalations in r u ssia’s war against Ukraine.

w h ile prices have remained more or less in check, unfavorable weather and pests have sparked local production issues in some countries. t h at’s true in China, one of the world’s top growers of corn, where pests like the fall armyworm are attacking plants earlier than usual. Native to the Americas, the destructive pest is now found across various continents including Asia and Africa.

Fall armyworms can migrate hundreds of kilometers in a single night during their moth stage, and produce many eggs, raising their chances of survival. wa rmer and humid weather supports survival and reproduction of the pest, allowing larvae to begin their assault much earlier in a crop cycle.

Orange juice

D A m A g e from hurricanes, frost and diseases have decimated orange groves in Florida, pushing U s orange juice futures to record highs this month. o r ange growers across Brazil and the U s a re struggling to battle the citrus greening disease, a fatal illness that causes fruits to get smaller, fall off trees and produce bitter juice, causing a global shortage.

t h e disease, transmitted by a insect known as the Asian citrus psyllid, is considered the most serious threat to citrus plants. In Brazil, nearly one in four orange trees in s a o Paulo s t ate and western m nas g e rais have the disease, according to research group Fundecitrus.

An increase in average temperatures in parts of the country’s citrus belt can benefit the spread of the insect that carries the bacteria, according to a study by Brazilian Agricultural r e search company e m brapa. Citrus crop output in Brazil, the world’s top exporter, has also dwindled due to the disease. Bloomberg News

Bantay Bigas spokesperson Cathy Estavillo said the government can buy the crop of farmers during harvest.

“The government should consider selling subsidized rice to make it affordable,” she said. Subsidies to farmers should be

Estavillo also added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as an agriculture secretary should also give “at least P50,000” to farmers whose crops were destroyed by previous storms.

“He should scrap the policies that allow the flood of imported rice. Really when it comes to food, especially rice, the government should not leave the trade of rice to the private sector.”

Rice may again be the cause of higher inflation in the coming months as Philippine Statistics

Authority (PSA) data showed that prices returned to levels that were seen prior to the implementation of a law that sought to bring down the price of the staple. PSA data showed rice inflation averaged 4.2 percent in July 2023, the highest since February 2019 when the increase in the commodity’s prices was at 4.5 percent. The Rice Trade Liberalization Act was implemented in March 2019.

“Ngayon, hindi pa siya [rice prices] ganun kataas but I agree [the] observation na pwedeng ito ang magiging source ng future inflation natin ,” National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said in a press briefing. Raadee S. Sausa

Group urges govt to rethink palm oil import policy

The Department of Agriculture (DA) should rethink its proposed changes to the palm oil import policy of the government, according to a nongovernment organization.

Bantay Palengke said restricting palm oil imports will trigger a surge in cooking oil prices and make it less accessible particularly to poor households.

The group urged the government to conduct “thorough consultations” with consumers before enacting changes in its import policy.

“We are deeply concerned that the proposed restriction [on palm oil importation], if implemented, could have significant adverse effects. It’s likely that such limitations on free trade could cause palm oil prices to spike, along

with the broader vegetable oil industry—including coconut oil,” said Bantay Palengke Convenor Lester Codog.

“This, in turn, might have a direct impact on the collateralfree micro-financing provided by traders, while simultaneously rendering backyard compound feed producers uncompetitive in comparison to larger multinational corporations.”

Codog also said that the revenue being envisioned by the government in the imposition of valueadded tax (VAT) on imported palm oil may not materialize.

“What could transpire is the shift of VAT-exempt volumes toward multinational feed mills, who would subsequently mark up prices before selling to lowerincome Filipino consumers.”

The group alleged that Coconut Oil Refiners Association Chairman Jesus Arranza is the main proponent of the change in palm oil importation policies.

“It is our position that Mr. Arranza’s lobbying efforts for a competitor sector should be dismissed based on the fact that his business will gain undue competitive advantage once his proposals are implemented. In fact, it is the height of irony that Mr. Arranza is lobbying against palm oil and palm olein importation when his company had been importing palm oil and palm olein in the past.”

The group had warned against imposing “unnecessary restrictions” on the importation of palm oil, saying this will lead to higher food prices.

“We had been informed that the DA is considering some policy proposals that will surely hurt Filipino consumers,” Codog said.

“We have been monitoring issues being raised by various sectors including some quarters that are competing with the palm oil industry and we are wary that they have misguided our policymakers on this issue.”

Codog said that among the proposals include the prohibition of palm oil trading, which is necessary for backyard feed producers to continue operating.

“If we allow this prohibition on palm oil trading, palm oil importation will now solely be the domain of large scale feed manufacturers. This triggers monopoly pricing and a potential abuse of dominant position.” Raadee S. Sausa

JAPAN’s rICe DONATION The Philippine government formally accepted the 300-metric ton (MT) milled rice donation by Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) under the AseAN Plus Three emergency rice reserve (APTerr) Tier 3 Program last August 17 in Camalig, Albay. During the event, 300 MT milled rice stocks equivalent to 10,000 30-kilogram bags were distributed to the affected families identified by the Department of social Welfare and Development (DsWD). Photo shows (from left) Choomjet Karnjanakesorn, general manager APTerr secretariat; Department of Agriculture senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban; roger Navarro, special Assist. to the National Food Authority Administrator; and Michael Christopher Mathay, DsWD Director. CoNtr BUteD Photo

FAO: Efforts to safeguard biodiversity receive welcome boost

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund has been launched during the Seventh Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Assembly in Vancouver, Canada.

The newly established fund will facilitate financing for developing countries—which are often the most biodiverse—to enhance their ability to protect, restore and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, as established through The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by 196 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity at COP15 in December 2022.

“The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework places agrifood systems at the forefront of an enormous challenge that will require important financial resources,

coordination, and commitment to implement win-win solutions for people and the planet. The new Fund is also an essential part of climate action, and a critical step towards making these solutions a reality,’’ FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo said in a statemente.

The fund, uniquely dedicated to supporting the Framework and its action towards halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 and putting nature on a recovery path by 2050, provides an opportunity to receive funding from all sources. Two countries have announced initial contributions to start its capitalization: Canada pledged 200 million Canadian dollars and the United Kingdom 10 million pounds.

FAO said biodiversity is the variety of life at genetic, species and ecosystem levels. It is essential for food and agriculture and

indispensable to food security and sustainable development. It includes the domesticated plants and animals that are part of crop, livestock, forest or aquaculture systems, harvested forest and aquatic species, the wild relatives of domesticated species, and other wild species harvested for food and other products.

Over half of the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework are directly related to agrifood sectors, and FAO is the custodian of four of the Framework’s headline indicators: ecosystem restoration, fish stocks, areas under productive and sustainable agriculture, and sustainable forest management.

“The transformation of agrifood systems to make them more sustainable can unlock solutions that generate multiple benefits, including safeguarding biodiversity which

can help address the challenges posed by diverse and changing environmental conditions and socioeconomic circumstances.”

Actions such as diversifying production systems, for example by using multiple species, breeds or varieties, integrating the use of crop, livestock, forest and aquatic biodiversity, or promoting habitat diversity in the local landscape or seascape, increase resilience, tackle the climate crisis, improve livelihoods and support food security and nutrition.

FAO is a member of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert group on Global Biodiversity Framework Indicators and is also co-leading, with the UN Environment Program, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration which actively contributes to the monitoring and reporting of Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal GBF related to restoring degraded areas.

LocaL rice traders said over the weekend that unmilled rice prices went up by P1 per kilogram as the supply of the staple remains tight.

Freshly harvested rice in the Philippines is shown in this file photo. BloomBerg News

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION/S FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT/S (AEP/S)

Notice is hereby given that the following companies/employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for

Street, Cavite Economic Zone, Tejeros Convention, Rosario, Cavite

20 FYN GREEN PET CORPORATION

Block 1, Lot 2, Phase 3, First Cavite Industrial Estate, Langkaan II, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite

21 HYS METAL PLASTIC AND ELECTRONICS (PHILIPPINES) INC.

Amplefield Sme Park, J.P. Rizal Ave., Lima Technology Center, Bugtong Na Pulo, City of Lipa, Batangas

22 IBIDEN PHILIPPINES, INC.

Road

23 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP.

Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

ODA, TETSU

Factory Manager

Brief Job Description:

Direct and manage plant operations for administration, logistics, engineering, manufacturing and quality management

CHUANG, CHI-YEN

Section Chief - Production

Brief Job Description: Establish a balance between increased productivity and reduce cost of manufacturing operation

QIN, PENGJU NCT Technical Consultant

Brief Job Description: Use engineering methods to manage product issues in meeting business objectives

YAMAGAMI, YUZO Director

Brief Job Description: Assist company officers and senior staff members in the development

MAY PALAE

Burmese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: College graduateengineering course with 10-year experience as factory manager in a manufacturing company

Salary Range: Php500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in the same field

Salary Range:

Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Have worked in manufacturing company and have some technical skills

Salary Range: Php60,000 - Php89,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Japanese language with strong leadership

Salary Range:

Php150,000Php499,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Burmese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

45 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP.

Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

46 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP.

Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

47 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP.

Island Cove II, Covelandia Road, Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

LUC, VAN VET Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

LUONG, QUYNH GIU

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description:

Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

LUONG, THU CUC

Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries

- Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese and Vietnamese language

Salary Range: Php30,000 - Php59,999

The World

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Shelling kills civilians as fears grow of 2nd Russian takeover

By Susie Blann The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine—Russian forces struck a cafe in a key frontline area in northeastern Ukraine Saturday, killing two civilians and wounding a third, regional officials said.

The shelling near the city of Kupiansk came as U.K. officials said that Russia may try to retake the area, which was captured by Kyiv in a lightning counteroffensive last September after more than six months of Russian occupation. Fierce fighting there earlier this month prompted mandatory evacuations and fears of a second Russian takeover.

Russian shells on Saturday morning struck the cafe in Podoly, an eastern suburb of Kupiansk, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said in a Telegram post. He added that rescue teams were working at the site.

U.K. military intelligence on Saturday assessed that Russia may “increase the intensity of its offensive efforts” around Kupiansk and nearby Lyman in an attempt to take pressure off its forces near Bakhmut and in the Zaporizhzhia region, where a Ukrainian counteroffensive has reportedly made gradual gains.

Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Russian defense ministry, said in a regular briefing Saturday that Moscow’s forces had “improved their position along the front line” in the Kupiansk area and repelled five Ukrainian assaults over the previous day. He did not give further details regarding any troop movements.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian authorities ordered a mandatory evacuation of nearly 12,000 civilians from 37 towns and villages around Kupiansk, citing a concerted effort by Russian troops to punch through the front line.

After the Russian occupiers left Kupiansk last year, Ukrainian authorities said they found torture chambers and mass graves in the region.

Ukrainian officials have so far reported limited advances in Kyiv’s large-scale counteroffensive launched in early June, including in the southern Zaporizhzhia region and on the outskirts of Bakhmut, the eastern city that became the site of the war’s longest and bloodiest battle before falling to Moscow in May.

A Washington-based think tank said late Friday that Ukrainian forces were pushing forward in Zaporizhzhia after advancing into the village of Robotyne earlier this week. The Institute for the Study of War in its latest assessment cited pro-Kremlin military bloggers expressing concern over a lack of reinforcements and troop locations in the area, while the Ukrainian General Staff that same day claimed unspecified further successes south and southeast of Robotyne.

Also on Saturday, a new drone attack on Moscow forced an early morning temporary shutdown of all three major airports serving the city, Russian state media reported. Officials blamed Ukraine for what appeared to be the latest of neardaily strikes on the Russian capital and the surrounding region.

Kyiv has since early this year sought to take the 18-month-war into the heart of Russia, also saying recently that it was behind strikes on Russian military assets far behind the front lines.

Russia’s defense ministry and Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said that a drone was shot down over the Istra district of the Moscow region, some 50 kilometers (30 miles) west of Red Square. Sobyanin said in a Telegram post that there were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage.

According to Russia’s state Tass agency, the Sheremetevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports all suspended flights for over an hour early Saturday.

Russian Telegram channels on Saturday posted videos, some of them apparently from home security cameras, of what they claimed was Russian air defense downing

Haiti gang opens fire on parishioners trying to rid community of criminals

By Evens Sanon The Associated Press

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—

A powerful gang opened fire Saturday on a large group of parishioners led by a pastor as they marched through a community armed with machetes to rid the area of gang members.

The attack was filmed in real time by journalists at the scene, and several people were killed and others injured, Marie Yolène Gilles, director of human rights group Fondasyon Je Klere, told The Associated Press.

She watched online as hundreds of people from a local church marched through Canaan, a makeshift town in the outskirts of the capital of Portau-Prince founded by survivors who lost their homes in the devastating 2010 earthquake.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many people were killed and injured in the attack.

Canaan is controlled by a gang led by a man identified only as “Jeff,” who is believed to be allied with the “5 Seconds” gang.

Gangs have grown more powerful since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and they are estimated to control up to 80% of Portau-Prince.

Gédéon Jean, director of Haiti’s Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, told the AP that he also watched the event unfold online and planned to ask the Ministry of Justice to investigate. He accused the pastor of be -

the drone. One video shows a car parked outside what appears to be a suburban home, its alarm beginning to blare seconds after two loud blasts sound in the distance. Russia’s defense ministry that same day blamed Ukraine for the attack. As of Saturday morning, Ukrainian authorities had not said whether Kyiv had any involvement. Russia and Ukraine traded multiple drone attacks earlier this week, with Kyiv apparently targeting Moscow and the Kremlin’s forces launching another bombardment of Ukrainian grain storage depots in what have recently become signature tactics.

Also this week, Kyiv claimed it had destroyed a key Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile defense system in occupied Crimea. Ukrainian media also claimed that Ukrainian saboteurs coordinated by Kyiv’s military intelligence services carried out a pair of recent drone attacks that destroyed and damaged bomber aircraft at air bases deep inside Russia.

Later on Saturday, Russia’s defense ministry said in a separate statement that another drone was brought down as it approached the Russian city of Belgorod, some 45 kilometers (27 miles) from the Ukrainian border. It did not mention any casualties or damage.

Belgorod regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov accused Ukrainian forces of shelling a border village using cluster munitions, wounding six civilians. Gladkov did not provide visual evidence for the use of the controversial and widely banned weapons, which contain dozens of small bomblets that scatter shrapnel over a wide area.

Kyiv last month began receiving cluster bombs from the US, but has pledged to use them only to dislodge groups of enemy soldiers. Ukrainian officials have regularly accused Moscow of firing cluster munitions at residential areas, while Russian regional authorities have reported Ukrainian cross-border attacks in which civilians were hurt.

UN: IS group almost doubled territory they control in Mali

ing irresponsible because he “engaged a group of people and put them in a situation like this.”

The parishioners who clutched machetes and yelled “Free Canaan!” were no match for gang members armed with assault rifles.

“Police should have stopped them from going,” Jean said. “It’s extremely horrible for the state to let something like this happen.”

A spokesperson for Haiti’s National Police did not return a message for comment.

From Jan. 1 until Aug. 15, more than 2,400 people in Haiti were reported killed, more than 950 kidnapped and another 902 injured, according to the most recent United Nations statistics.

Fed up with the surge in gang violence, Haitians organized a violent movement in April known as “bwa kale” that targets suspected gang members. More than 350 people have been killed since the uprising began, according to the UN.

In October, the Haitian government requested the immediate deployment of a foreignarmed force to quell gang violence.

The government of Kenya has offered to lead a multinational force, and a delegation of top officials from the eastern African country visited Haiti recently as part of a reconnaissance mission.

The US said earlier this month that it would introduce a U.N. Security Council resolution that would authorize Kenya to take such action. Associated Press reporter Dánica Coto in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed.

By Edith M. Lederer The Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS — Islamic State extremists have almost doubled the territory they control in Mali in less than a year, and their al-Qaeda-linked rivals are capitalizing on the deadlock and perceived weakness of armed groups that signed a 2015 peace agreement, United Nations experts said in a new report.

The stalled implementation of the peace deal and sustained attacks on communities have offered the IS group and al-Qaeda affiliates a chance “to re-enact the 2012 scenario,” they said.

That’s the year when a military coup took place in the West African country and rebels in the north formed an Islamic state two months later. The extremist rebels were forced from power in the north with the help of a French-led military operation, but they moved from the arid north to more populated central Mali in 2015 and remain active.

In August 2020, Mali’s president was overthrown in a coup that included an army colonel who carried out a second coup and was sworn in as president in June 2021. He developed ties to Russia’s military and Russia’s Wagner mercenary group whose head, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was reportedly killed in a plane crash on a flight from Moscow this week.

The 2015 peace agreement was signed by three parties: the government, a pro-government militia and a coalition of groups who seek autonomy in northern Mali.

See “UN,”

Dallas breaks 12-year-old heat record as scorching summer continues in US

By Ken Miller The Associated Press

Temperatures in the area reached 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius), breaking by four degrees the previous record for this date that was set in 2011, according to the National Weather Service.

The heat dome that has been over the state since June is expected to move out of the area soon, according to weather service meteorologist Te d Ryan.

Excessive heat warnings were in effect for much of eastern Texas, most o f both Louisiana and Mississippi and portions of Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois and the Florida Panhandle.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, has asked the state’s 30 million residents five times this summer to voluntarily reduce power usage because of the high temperatures creating high demand for electricity.

ERCOT has reached record highpeak demand for power 10 times since June, according to its website.

The historic heat wave stretched over portions of Mississippi and Louisiana as well.

Peak heat-index readings of 119 degrees F and 120 degrees F (48.3 C and 48.9 C) are expected across the entire area.

In Mississippi, the city of Jackson remained under an excessive heat warning as temperatures were expected to peak Saturday at 103 degrees F ( 39.4 C). City officials said the high temperatures are putting a strain on the city’s water system as an additional four million gallons of water are being delivered through the system each day.

JXN Water is asking residents to cut their water usage to help conserve it.

Meanwhile, in Louisiana the entire state was under an excessive heat

w arning and a burn ban due to critical fire weather conditions persisting.

“ This is the hottest summer we’ve ever recorded,” National Weather Service Meteorologist Phil Grigsby said in Louisiana.

As of Friday, the area has had a heat index reading—what the temperature feels like—over 105 degrees F (40.6) for 55 days, since June 1, Grigsby said. For the Dallas area, which has had nine record high temperature days before Saturday, slightly cooler temperatures are expected.

“ There’s going to be a front that starts making its way down here, the high is only going to be 103 degrees (Sunday),” Ryan said with a laugh. “But

By Elena Becatoros The Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece—Fire department officials in Greece arrested two men Saturday for allegedly deliberately setting fires, while hundreds of firefighters battled wildfires that have killed at least 21 people in the past week.

One man was arrested on the island of Evia for allegedly setting fire to dried grass in the Karystos area. The fire department said the man confessed to having set four other fires in the area in July and August.

A second man arrested in the Larissa area of central Greece also was accused of intentionally setting fire to dried vegetation.

Monday and Tuesday highs are going to be in the mid 90s, which is right around normal...95 is going to feel pretty good for a lot of us.”

Ryan said highs above 100 are likely not at an end with temperatures probably reaching above that level during S eptember.

Grigsby said temporary relief is also on the horizon in neighboring Louisiana.

“We will see a cold front come down across the area” as the tropical low pressure heads toward Florida, Grigsby said. “That will push the 100 to 105 d egree temperatures to the more typical temperatures we’re used to seeing i n August, into the lower 90s.”

Pope Francis warns of social media perils

themselves.

The panel of experts said in the report circulated Friday that the impasse in implementing the agreement—especially the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of combatants into society—is empowering al-Qaedalinked Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa alMuslimin, known as JNIM, to vie for leadership in northern Mali.

Sustained violence and attacks mostly by IS fighters in the Greater Sahara have also made the signatories to the peace deal “appear to be weak and unreliable security providers” for communities targeted by the extremists, the experts said.

JNIM is taking advantage of this weakening “and is now positioning its elf as the sole actor capable of protecting populations against Islamic State in the Greater Sahara,” they said.

The panel said Mali’s military rulers are watching the confrontation between the IS group and al-Qaeda affiliate from a distance.

The experts cited some sources as saying the government believes that over time the confrontation in the north will benefit Malian authorities, but said other sources believe time favors the terrorists “whose military capacities and community penetration grow each day.”

“In less than a year, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara has almost doubled its areas of control in Mali,” the panel said, pointing to its control now of rural areas in eastern Menaka and large parts of the Ansongo area in northern Gao.

In June, Mali’s junta ordered the U.N. peacekeeping force and its 15,000 international troops to leave after a decade of working on stemming the jihadi insurgency The Security Council terminated the mission’s mandate on June 30.

The panel said the armed groups that signed the 2015 agreement expressed concern that the peace deal could potentially fall apart without UN mediation, “thereby exposing the northern regions to the risk of another uprising.”

The UN force, known as MINUSMA, “played a crucial role” in facilitating talks between the parties, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the agreement, and investigating alleged violations, the panel said.

The 104-page report painted a grim picture of other turmoil and abuses in the country.

ROME—Pope Francis on Saturday warned against the danger of reducing human relationships to “mere algorithms” and urged lawmakers to be vigilant against “partisan” propaganda and divisiveness on social media.

In a speech to participants of the International Catholic Legislators Network, who were holding their annual conference in the Rome area, Francis noted that social media networks can be a way to help people realize they are part of something larger than

By John Raoux, Terry Spencer & Trisha Ahmed

The Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—A masked

white man fatally shot three people inside a Jacksonville, Florida, Dollar General store in a predominately Black neighborhood on Saturday in a deliberate attack after leaving behind racist writings, officials said. The shooter then killed himself.

“He hated Black people,” Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters told a news conference. “There is absolutely no evidence the shooter is part of any larger group.”

Waters said the shooter, who was in his 20s, used a Glock handgun and an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle with at least one of the firearms painted with a swastika. He was wearing a bulletresistant vest.

The two men and one woman who were killed were Black, Waters said. Officials didn’t immediately release the names of the victims or the shooter.

The sheriff said the gunman had left behind writings that led investigators to believe that he committed the shooting because it was the fifth anniversary of when another gunman opened fire during a video game tournament in Jacksonville, killing two people before fatally shooting himself.

The shooting happened just before 2 p.m. at a Dollar General about threequarters of a mile from Edward Waters University, a small historically Black university. Sheriff Waters said the suspect was seen on campus shortly

“Indeed, that is the stated aim of many social media platforms, and certainly much good takes place through these means of communication,” Francis said.

Still, the pontiff said, vigilance was needed, “for sadly many dehumanizing trends resulting from technocracy are found on these media.” He cited the deliberate spread of false information about people, fake news and the promotion of hatred and division. Francis further decried what he called

“partisan propaganda and the reduction of human relationships to mere algorithms.”

Another peril on social media networks is “a false sense of belonging, especially among young people, that can lead to isolation and loneliness,” he said.

As a remedy, Francis advocated a “culture of authentic encounter, which involves a radical call to respect and to listen to one another, including those with whom we may strongly disagree.” AP

Officials have blamed arson for several fires in Greece over the past week. It remains unclear what sparked the country’s largest blazes, including one in the northeastern region of Evros, the location of nearly all the fire-attributed deaths, and another on the fringes of Athens.

Greece has been plagued by daily outbreaks of dozens of fires over the past week as gale-force winds and hot, dry summer conditions combined to whip up flames and hamper firefighting efforts. Firefighters were tackling 122 blazes Saturday, including 75 that broke out in the 24 hours between Friday evening and Saturday evening, the fire department said.

Although most new fires were controlled in their early stages, some grew to massive blazes that have consumed homes and vast tracts of forest.

“Some ... arsonists are setting fires, endangering forests, property and above all human lives,” Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said Thursday. “What is happening is not just unacceptable, but despicable and criminal.”

The minister said nine fires were set in the space of four hours Thursday morning in the Avlona area in the northern foothills of Mount Parnitha on the northwestern fringes of Athens that is one of the capital’s last green areas.

A major fire was already burning on the southern side of the mountain at the time, and it continued to burn Saturday.

“You are committing a crime against the country,” Kikilias said. “We will find you. You will be held accountable to justice.”

at least three fires in the Avlona area. A search of his home revealed kindling, a fire torch gun and pine needles, police said. Lightning strikes from storms in some parts of the country Saturday were believed to have been the cause of several fires, including near the Greek capital. The fire department said 100 firefighters, including contingents from France and Cyprus, backed up by four helicopters, brought fires in four outlying areas near the Greek capital under partial control within hours.

The fire department called on the public “to be particularly careful” and to follow directions by authorities “given that intense thunderstorm activity is occurring in various parts of the country.”

The Evros fire, Greece’s largest current blaze, was burning for an eighth day Saturday near the city of Alexandroupolis after causing at least 20 deaths. Authorities issued evacuation orders Saturday afternoon for three villages in the area.

Firefighters found 18 bodies in a forest on Tuesday, one on Monday and another Thursday. The 18 included two boys aged between 10 and 15. With nobody reported missing in the area, authorities believe the victims might have been migrants who recently crossed the border from Turkey.

Greece’s Disaster Victim Identification Team was activated to identify the remains, and a telephone hotline set up for potential relatives of the victims to call. A man reportedly trying to save his livestock from advancing flames in central Greece also died on Monday.

More than 290 firefighters, backed by five planes and two helicopters, were battling the Evros blaze. Another 260 firefighters, four planes and three helicopters were tackling the Mount Parnitha fire.

Another blaze broke out on the Cycladic island of Andros Saturday, where an evacuation order for a village was also issued. Firefighting reinforcements, including French firefighters with vehicles were sent to Andros from other islands and from the Greek mainland. A lightning strike was reportedly suspected as the cause.

before the shooting, putting on his vest and a mask.

“I can’t tell you what his mindset was while he was there, but he did go there,” the sheriff said.

Edward Waters University students were being kept in their dorms, the school said in a statement. No students or faculty are believed involved, the school said.

The shooter had driven to Jacksonville from neighboring Clay County. Shortly before the attack, the shooter had sent his father a text message telling him to check his computer. The father found the writings and the family notified 911, but the shooting had already begun, Sheriff Waters said.

“This is a dark day in Jacksonville’s history. There is no place for hate in this community,” the sheriff said. “I am sickened by this cowardly shooter’s personal ideology.” He said the investigation will continue and that the shooter’s home is being searched.

Mayor Donna Deegan said she is “heartbroken.”

“This is a community that has suffered again and again. So many times this is where we end up,” Deegan said. “This is something that should not and must not continue to happen in our community.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis, after speaking by phone with the sheriff, called the shooter a “scumbag” and denounced his racist motivation.

“This guy killed himself rather than face the music and accept responsibility for his actions. He took the coward’s way out,” said DeSantis, who was in

Iowa campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination.

Both President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland were briefed on the shooting, officials said.

Penny Jones told the The Associated Press that she worked at the store, located a few blocks away from her home, until a few months ago.

“I’m just waiting to hear about my co-workers that I used to work with,” Jones said. “I don’t know if it’s safe to move about the neighborhood.”

Jones added that she was “feeling awkward, scared.”

“I don’t want to leave my house. I’m thinking, do I want to go back to the store? Is this going to start happening more frequently? I don’t know what the cause of it is. I’m confused. It’s a lot of different feelings going on right now,” she said.

The deadly shooting took place within hours of the conclusion of a commemorative March on Washington in the nation’s capital, where organizers drew attention to the growing threat of hate-motivated violence against people of color.

The attack on a shopping center in a predominately Black neighborhood will undoubtedly evoke fears of past shootings targeting Black Americans, like the one at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket in 2022, and one at a historic African Methodist Episcopal church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015. Spencer reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Ahmed reported from St. Paul, Minnesota. Associated Press writers Aaron Morrison in New York and Mike Balsamo in Washington contributed.

Later on Thursday, police arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of arson for allegedly setting

With firefighting forces stretched to the limit, Greece has called on other European countries for help. Germany, Sweden, Croatia and Cyprus sent aircraft, while dozens of Romanian, French, Czech, Bulgarian, Albanian, Slovak and Serb firefighters were helping on the ground.

Another record-setting day of high temperatures hit the Dallas/Fort Worth area Saturday before a slight cooling trend moves into the area, according to the national Weather Service, as heat warnings stretch from the Gulf Coast to the Southeastern US and upper Mid-South.

Braxton Hicks 7, of Livingston, te xas, holds his face to a portable fan to cool off during the DYB, formerly Dixie Youth Baseball, Little League tournament in ru ston, La., Wednesday, august 9, 2023. another record-setting day of high temperatures is forecast in the Dallas/Fort Worth area s aturday, august 26, 2023, before a slight cooling trend moves into the area, according to the national Weather s ervice as heat warnings stretch from the Gulf co ast to the s o utheastern Us and upper Mid-s o uth. AP Photo/Ger A l d h er bert

White man kills 3 Black people at Florida store in a hate crime

Greek authorities arrest 2 for arson while firefighters battle wildfires across country

editorial

The new normal for workers around the world

When Covid-19 lockdowns shuttered offices all over the world, remote work became a necessary measure to contain the spread of the virus. After workers got a taste of work-from-home life, it remained a key feature of the global job market. Some labor experts even said the pandemic has also killed full-time office work.

A Bankrate study said 89 percent of those who worked at home at some time during the pandemic said they see at least one benefit to making a permanent change to remote work. These benefits include: More freedom (50 percent), more family time (48 percent), more sleep (40 percent), better mental health (34 percent), and decrease in living expenses (32 percent).

What’s more, full-time workers are willing to make big changes for that flexibility: 51 percent of those looking for a four-day week, remote work or hybrid work would switch jobs or even industries to have at least one of those options. Pew Research Center conducted a study in 2020 to better understand how the work experiences of employed adults have changed amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Most workers who say their job responsibilities can mainly be done from home say that before the pandemic, they rarely or never teleworked. Only one-in-five say they worked from home all or most of the time. Now, 71 percent of those workers are doing their job from home all or most of the time.

The research showed how the pandemic has reshaped the job market. For example, among those whose workplaces have reopened, 61 percent say they are choosing not to go into their workplace, while 38 percent say they’re working from home because their workplace is closed or unavailable to them. Earlier in the pandemic, the opposite was true: 64 percent said they were working from home because their office was closed, and 36 percent said they were choosing to work from home.

As remote working is becoming the norm among many companies, work from home arrangements can be just as advantageous for the employer as the employee. One of the benefits of staff working from home for employers is the cost savings. Productivity also increases because of the reduction in absenteeism.

In the Philippines, which is a popular destination for outsourced and freelance workers, workers were already aware of remote work even before the pandemic. More than half of Filipino workers (52 percent) have been working from home for years now, based on a study joined by JobStreet. It spiked to 85 percent during the Covid-19 pandemic as part of their flexible work arrangements. The study said the Philippines, along with its Southeast Asian neighbors, still look forward to remote working in the long term.

Senator Joel Villanueva, chief author of the telecommuting law, sees the “work-from-home” option as the key to unlock worsening daily traffic gridlocks in metropolitan areas. “When we authored and sponsored the Telecommuting or the Work-from-Home Law in 2019, our intention was to address the worsening traffic situation, especially in the metropolitan areas,” Villanueva said on Thursday. (Read the BusinessMirror report: “WFH seen to stay, to ease impact of traffic gridlocks,” August 25, 2023)

“When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the whole world, we saw the full implementation of the law and how productivity was not halted because of the alternative working arrangements provided,” he said, adding that e-commerce and digital transactions grew by 20 percent from 2021 to 2022 “even while most people are still working from home.”Villanueva said “the pandemic may be over but our traffic situation has gotten more intolerable.” Citing a 2018 Jica study, he said the Philippines lost P3.5 billion a day due to the heavy traffic in Metro Manila. In a project report for the Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan, Jica noted in 2022 that “transportation costs of road users, comprising vehicle operating cost and travel time cost, is now at P4.9 billion per day in Metro Manila, which will increase to P9.4 billion a day by 2027 if nothing is done.”

Work from home has become the new normal for workers around the world. It would do well for the government to strengthen rules and regulations to allow alternative work arrangements for all businesses, including companies registered with the country’s investment promotion agencies. Creating an effective remote work policy will not only help ease Metro Manila’s traffic congestion. It will further improve productivity, improve work-life balance, reduce workers’ expenses, and contribute to the overall health of the economy.

Slow is good when it comes to food

RISING SUN

There are dishes and delicacies that we remember from our childhood but that we cannot find anymore today, or they may still be around but are more difficult to find. For example, a tamarind-based dessert that our grandma used to make, or a sweet treat that used to be popular in the local market.

Once in a while, we discover a unique local ingredient in a specialty dish that we happen to order while dining out. Something we’ve never heard before like, say, kayumanis or katuk . “What is that?” you ask your companion. And then: “It’s good, I wonder where I can buy it.” And yet sometimes it’s an entire dish, most likely cooked following an heirloom recipe. It is, of course, very good but you can’t find it anywhere else.

These are just some of the issues

In the 1980s when McDonald’s was planning to put up a huge outlet in Italy, close to a historic site, there were chefs and food activists who opposed the idea. That was the beginning of the slow food movement, which now has a presence in more than 150 countries, including the Philippines.

or concepts attached to the slow food movement. But it’s just one slice of the pie, so to speak. Slow food is also about knowing the source or origin (place and farm/ farmer) of every food product or dish, and being familiar with the chef or cook as well as the process of making it. It’s also about eating and using produce and ingredients in season, making sure it’s organic or high quality, clean, and fairly priced. It is about eating mindfully and enjoying the flavors and

Will Asean join BRICS?

LITO GAGNI

WiTh the addition of six more countries to BriCS during the group’s recently concluded summit in Johannesburg, the big question now is whether the Philippines and its Asean partners are keen on being a part of the emerging economic grouping that could alter the global economic landscape—and even realize new peace initiatives in the current conflicts happening in the world.

The group, which was initially made of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has just accepted the entry of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and United Arab Emirates, which will provide what CBC said as economic heft to the group. More countries are expected to join the economic bloc and the question uppermost now is whether the Association of Southeast Nations will join the economic coalition.

For the Philippines, the economic implications are huge, with the possibility of the country getting not just oil, which could come cheap, and grains as well as fertilizer at much lower prices. The savings the government can get by being part of the economic coalition, now championing the Global South, can be put to good use especially at this difficult time when the government debt is above 60 percent of GDP. We remember how the Asean

forged an oil-sharing plan in the 1970s when the price of oil hit new highs, with the Philippines getting support from Indonesia. An economic crisis that could ensue will allow the government to get help and support from the BRICS should it decide to be part of the coalition. After all, in the scheme of things, there is always the so-called Black Swan that could happen and to be part of BRICS will mean better prospects ahead for the country.  Nassim Nicholas Taleb coined the Black Swan, an outlier of an event that could happen and blow to smithereens all the profit assumptions that company financial execs have churned out in their Excel presentations. The financial crisis that happened in 2008-2009 when mortgage-backed securities burst the US housing bubble is a Black Swan. And so is the succeeding Greece deficit that roiled the European Union and

textures of the food. It’s about preserving a place’s culinary tradition, ecosystem, and heritage, at the same time sharing the know-how and resources with members of the community.

If you think about it, the slow food movement is trying to embrace so many things—from production and sourcing to cooking and consumption. This is probably why it is sometimes referred to as a revolution and shows the breadth and depth of the concepts surrounding it.

In the 1980s when McDonald’s was planning to put up a huge outlet

The Philippines should be part of BRICS to forestall any economic disruption that could happen. Well, in Pangasinan, onions are now priced at P200 a kilo and the price of bangus is now at par with that in Manila. Rice has gone up by P10 and harvest time will still be in November. Now is the time for the country to join BRICS.

then the Icelandic financial crisis.

The Covid-19 that hit the global economy and which led to Philippine debt of more than P12 trillion is another Black Swan. It hit the country’s tourism industry and many of its manufacturing companies. Thus, the country will have better economic prospects should there be a deadly combination of runaway prices for rice and gasoline and a decline in the value of the peso vis-a-vis the US dollar. There are also geopolitical concerns.

Today, the strategic partnership within the BRICS framework is gaining momentum. The association itself offers the world creative, forward-looking initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development goals, ensuring food and energy security, healthy growth of the global economy, and conflict resolution. That is something the country should not miss.

This is the colossal difference in approach to the future of the world.

Now many politicians are beginning to openly speak the truth about real events. For example, Chinese Am-

in Italy, close to a historic site, there were chefs and food activists who opposed the idea. That was the beginning of the slow food movement, which now has a presence in more than 150 countries, including the Philippines. There are various Slow Food communities in the country— farmers and food producers linked with chefs, restaurant owners, consumers, and other personalities in the various local food and culinary industries.

It is already a given that the Philippines is blessed with diverse resources as far as agriculture, food production, and culinary traditions are concerned. We have passionate farmers, skilled culinary experts, and progressive restaurant owners and entrepreneurs who are all working towards a common goal—to preserve our local cuisine and culinary heritage, protect our natural resources, and make sure that traditions and practices are not forgotten, but are rather passed on to the next generations so they can continue or even enrich it further.

bassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui, in an interview with the TASS news agency in August, called NATO the main reason for the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis. According to the ambassador, the alliance’s five eastward expansions have seriously affected the post-Cold War order and security in Europe. “For more than 30 years now, NATO has been stoking fires everywhere, destroying stability and engaging in separatism, as it did in Kosovo, Libya and Afghanistan,” he said.

Hanhui called NATO a relic of the Cold War, and said the organization should have ceased to exist with its end. However, the alliance “continues to thrive, fueled by the constant launching of wars and provoking conflicts. The facts have proven that wherever NATO stretches its devilish paws, there will be no peace.”

Those words will be dismissed by the West but the failure to implement the Minsk 1 and then the Minsk 2 peace protocols and the subsequent admission from former German Chancellor Angela Merkel that the said peace initiatives were not meant to be pursued are facts that cannot be denied.

The Philippines should be part of BRICS to forestall any economic disruption that could happen. Well, in Pangasinan, onions are now priced at P200 a kilo and the price of bangus is now at par with that in Manila. Rice has gone up by P10 and harvest time will still be in November. Now is the time for the country to join BRICS.

Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

Collaboration among peers

Joel L. Tan-Torres

DEBIT CREDIT

Part One

LASt August 8, 2023, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and nine business and professional organizations gathered to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that provides collaboration between the signatories. the BIR was led by Commissioner Romeo “Jun” Lumagui. the various organizations were represented by their respective officers.

These organizations included the largest and most influential institutions, including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tax Management Association of the Philippines, Management Association of the Philippines, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Association of CPAs in Public Practice, Association of CPAs in Commerce and Industry, Philippine Exporters Confederation, and the Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce. Definitely, this initiative is a collaboration of peers and partners in nation-building—the taxpayers and the tax collector.

These organizations have as members the largest taxpayers in the country. Likewise, the tax consultants of these taxpayers were amply represented, with three Certified Public Accountants associations, among the signatories to the MOA. Notably not included were the lawyers’ group of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

BIR Commissioner Lumagui had the right intention when he convened these various groups to sign the MOA. The MOA provides for the creation of the BIR-Multi-Sectoral Working Group to be a “mechanism for consultations regarding issues on tax administration issues.” The collaboration includes the “sharing of knowledge and best practices on tax policies and strategies on how the Philippine business tax system can be improved” and “advocacy for comprehensive, relevant and lawful policies, plans and regulations for tax administration.” The full details of the MOA can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/5hxf6d62.

Previously, in the past, there were similar engagements between the BIR and the private sector and tax-

payer groups. The intent of these interactions is clear and necessary.

It is a must that the regulator, the BIR, consult with the various stakeholders in the promulgation of tax administration measures that impact taxpayers in their compliance efforts. For every new tax rule put in place by the BIR, taxpayers are burdened financially, puts demand on their time, keep them learning how to comply with the risk of penalties for failure to comply, and a host of other costs. Thus, this current endeavor of consultation and collaboration with the various groups is a good initiative.

As with any noble act, the challenge is how this can be sustained and result in notable win-win outcomes. The BIR and the various private sector groups have signed the MOA on collaboration. High expectations have been raised that this will provide solutions to various ills and problems hindering the tax compliance of taxpayers and administration by the BIR. The taxpaying public that have to share with government their hard-earned income and salaries in the form of taxes, deserve nothing less than immediate and various fixes to priority areas of concern on tax compliance. Is this doable?

To be continued

Joel L. Tan-Torres was the former Dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business. Previously, he was the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, and partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co. and the SyCip Gorres and Velayo & Co. He is a Certified Public Accountant who garnered No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979. He is now back to his tax practice with his firm JL2T Consulting. He can be contacted at joeltantorress@yahoo.com

With drones and webcams, volunteer hunters join a new search for the mythical Loch Ness Monster

By Jill Lawless | The Associated Press

LONDON—Mystery hunters

converged on a Scottish lake

on Saturday to look for signs of the mythical Loch Ness Monster.

The Loch Ness Center said researchers would try to seek evidence of Nessie using thermalimaging drones, infrared cameras and a hydrophone to detect underwater sounds in the lake’s murky waters. The two-day event is being billed as the biggest survey of the lake in 50 years, and includes volunteers scanning the water from boats and the lakeshore, with others around the world joining in with webcams.

Alan McKenna of the Loch Ness Center said the aim was “to inspire a new generation of Loch Ness enthusiasts.”

McKenna told BBC radio the searchers were “looking for breaks in the surface and asking volunteers to record all manner of natural behavior on the loch.”

“Not every ripple or wave is a beastie. Some of those can be explained, but there are a handful that cannot,” he said.

The Loch Ness Center is located at the former Drumnadrochit Hotel, where the modern-day Nessie legend began. In 1933, manager Aldie Mackay reported spotting a “water beast” in the mountain-fringed loch, the largest body of freshwater by volume in the United Kingdom and at up to 750 feet (230 meters) one of the deepest.

The story kicked off an enduring worldwide fascination with finding the elusive monster, spawning hoaxes and hundreds of eyewitness accounts. Numerous theories have been put forward over the years, including that the creature may have been a prehistoric marine reptile, giant eels, a sturgeon or even an escaped circus elephant.

Many believe the sightings are pranks or can be explained by floating logs or strong winds, but the legend is a boon for tourism in the picturesque Scottish Highlands region.Such skepticism did not deter volunteers like Craig Gallifrey.“I believe there is something in the loch,” he said, though he is open-minded about what it is. “I do think that there’s got to be something that’s fueling the speculation.”

Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

IN the 1968 animated series, “Wacky Races,” 11 racers with different and unique profiles compete to win a trophy at the end of each episode. Some win; some lose. But there is one racer who always loses—racecar driver “Dick Dastardly” with car “00” and a sidekick dog “Muttley.” He always comes up with ingenious ways of sabotaging the other racers but ends up losing in the process. Each race is a fun riot as Dastardly’s devious schemes fall short, with much frolic and comedy. But the plot in the series has a deeper meaning when it comes to our own “not so wacky races.”

In any race, ultimately there will be a winner. Take the case of the recently concluded “Run For Coconut Farmers” (RFCF) done in San Pablo, Laguna and Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. Organized by Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines, it attracted more than two thousand runners. Kudos to all winners who emerged victorious in their respective events. But the more relevant message of these fun runs or racing events is not about winning but more about meaning. All participants, whether sponsors or runners, understood that they were contributing to a cause since a significant part of the funds raised will be distributed to the farmers or used to support farming activities in the coconut industry. From such perspective, this RFCF event or any fun run is not so wacky after all.

But when it comes to our professional careers, we appear to get into “wacky race” against each other, to

have more than the other, be it fame or fortune. We compete not to lose by having more. There are pros and cons when we refuse to slow down despite our physical limitations. Take the case of the late Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople, who unselfishly took the leadership role of the Department of Migrant Workers despite her medical condition. A breast cancer survivor, Secretary Toots relentlessly pursued her lifelong advocacy of protecting overseas Filipino workers (OFW) leading to her untimely death due to cancer complications.

I am sure stress was part of it. Even then Environment Secretary Gina Lopez was not one to be sidelined by brain cancer. She assiduously chased one town after another, one barrio after every other, if only to pound on the value of responsible care and use of our land and waterways. Both Sec. Toots and Sec. Gina left an indelible mark on the lives of oh so many Filipinos. They definitely lived with

much purpose as they found their life’s meaning in the lives of others.

In his book, “Strong to Strong,” author Arthur Brooks said that people can be happier in their “second curve” (latter days in life) the moment they understand the need to transition to the happiness or satisfaction formula of HAVES over WANTS. For the author, people generally equate satisfaction with the HAVES—the more they accumulate, the more satisfied they become. Over time, when these same people start to embrace their diminished or declining intellectual and physical abilities, happiness or satisfaction cannot be just a factor of “have” but of “have over want.” The author believes, and I concur, that satisfaction is at its highest whenever people find meaning or purpose in their lives. Distractions, perhaps not as diabolical as Dick Dastardly’s, will come our way but if we just keep our eye on the prize, we will emerge victorious.

In the Bible, the apostle Paul tells his ward Timothy that, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Fighting the good fight of faith involves a race, not a wacky one most certainly, but a vital competition reckoning ourselves dead to our feelings or human reasoning and focused on the pursuit of God’s will and righteousness. It is almost easy to fall prey into the pressures of this world, the moral laxity, and youthful indolence. The battle consequently is not against the next person but

against our vulnerable selves that are laid open for the devil to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Each time we sink into depression, or entertain a bribe, or nurture sinful thoughts—we allow bad things to emerge victorious. But Jesus instructs us to “Resist [the devil], standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:9). As such, other people are also running a race as we do, differing only in degree. A race of who gets past each of life’s sufferings, of who falls behind every loss or failure, of who stands up to walk again after a descent, and of who makes the choice to live a life of faith on a daily basis.

Therefore, whether winning in a fun run or achieving greater heights in our professional careers, we should remain focused on an eternal target —pleasing our Almighty God. This is a kind of race not against others but against ourselves as we find meaning in living in all that we do. And for those who wish to take the race seriously, it would be enough of a prize to hear our Creator say to us at the finish line: “Well done! Good and faithful servant!”

A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

‘Wacky Races’ no more Fukushima residents are cautious after the wrecked nuclear plant began releasing treated wastewater

By Mari Yamaguchi | The Associated Press

IWAKI, Japan—Fish auction prices at a port south of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant were mixed amid uncertainty over how seafood consumers will respond to the release of treated and diluted radioactive wastewater into the ocean.

The plant, which was damaged in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, began sending the treated water into the Pacific on Thursday despite protests at home and in nearby countries that are adding political and diplomatic pressures to the economic worries.

Hideaki Igari, a middleman at the Numanouchi fishing port, said the price of larger flounder, Fukushima’s signature fish known as Jobanmono, was more than 10 percent lower at the Friday morning auction, the first since the water release began. Prices of some average-size flounder rose, but presumably due to a limited catch, says Igari. Others fell.

It was a relatively calm market reaction to the water release. But, Igari said, “we still have to see how it goes next week.”

The decades long release has been strongly opposed by fishing groups and criticized by neighboring countries. China immediately banned imports of seafood from Japan in response, adding to worries in the fisheries community and related businesses.

In Seoul on Saturday, thousands of South Koreans took to the streets to condemn the release of wastewater and to criticize the South Korean government for endorsing the plan. The protesters called on Japan to store radioactive water in tanks instead of releasing it into the Pacific Ocean.

A citizens’ radiation testing center in Japan said it’s getting inquiries and expects more people might bring in food, water and other samples as radiation data is now a key barometer for what to eat.

Japanese fishing groups fear the release will do more harm to the reputation of seafood from the Fukushima area. They are still striving to repair the damage to their businesses from the meltdown at the power plant after the earthquake

and tsunami. “We now have this water after all these years of struggle when the fish market price is finally becoming stable,” Igari said after Friday’s auction. “Fisheries people fear that prices of the fish they catch for their living may crash again, and worry about their future living.”

The Japanese government and the plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, say the water must be released to make way for the facility’s decommissioning and to prevent accidental leaks of insufficiently treated water. Much of tank-held water still contains radioactive materials exceeding releasable levels.

Some wastewater at the plant is recycled as coolant after treatment, and the rest is stored in around 1,000 tanks, which are filled to 98 percent of their 1.37 million-ton capacity. The tanks cover much of the complex and must be cleared out to make room for new facilities needed for the decommissioning process, officials say.

Authorities say the wastewater after treatment and dilution is safer than international standards require, and that its environmental impact will be negligible. On Friday, the first seawater samples collected after the release were significantly below the legally releasable levels, the power company said.

But, having suffered a series of accidental and intended releases of contaminated water from the plant early in the disaster, hard feelings and distrust of the government and TEPCO run deep in Fukushima—especially in the fishing community.

TEPCO says the release will take 30 years, or until the end of the plant decommissioning. People fear that could mean a tough future for youths in the fishing town, where many businesses are family-run.

Fukushima’s current catch already is only about one-fifth its pre-disaster level due to a decline in the number of fishers and decreased catch sizes.

The government has allocated 80 billion yen ($550 million) to support fisheries and seafood processing, and to combat potential reputation damage by sponsoring campaigns to promote Fukushima’s Joban-mono and processed seafood. TEPCO has promised to deal with reputational damage claims, and those hurt by China’s export ban.

Tetsu Nozaki, head of the Fukushima prefectural fisheries cooperatives, said in a statement that worries of the fishing community will continue for as long as the water is released.

“Our only wish is to continue fishing for generations in our home town, like we used to before the accident,” Nozaki said.

Fish prices largely depend on the sentiment of wholesalers and consumers in the Tokyo region, where large portions of the Fukushima catch goes.

At the Friday auction at the Numanouchi port, the price for flounder was down from its usual level of about 3,500 yen ($24) per kilogram (2.2 pounds) to around 3,000 yen ($20), said Igari, the middleman.

“I suspect the result is because of the start of the treated water release from the Fukushima Daiichi and fear about its impact,” he said.

Igari said the discharge is discouraging but hopes careful testing can prove the safety of their fish. “From the consumers’ point of view about food safety at home, I think the best barometer is data,” he said.

At Mother’s Radiation Lab Fukushima in Iwaki, a citizens’ testing center known as Tarachine, tests were being conducted on water samples, including on tritium levels for seawater that the lab collected from just off the Fukushima Daiichi plant before the release.

Lab director Ai Kimura said anyone can bring in food, water or even soil, though the lab has big backlogs because testing take time. She joined the lab after regretting

she might not have fully protected her daughters because of the lack of information and knowledge earlier in the disaster. She says having independent test results is important not because of distrust of government data, but because “we learned over the past 12 years the importance of testing in order to get data” on what mothers want to know for serving safe and healthy food to their children and families. Kimura said people have different views about safety—some are fine with government standards, others want them to be as close to zero as possible.

“It’s very difficult to make everyone feel safe.… That’s why we conduct testing so we can visualize data on food from different places and help people have more options to make a decision,” she said.

Kimura said the lab’s testing has shown Fukushima fish to be safe over the past few years, and she happily eats local fish. “It’s totally fine to eat fish that does not contain radiation,” she said. But now the treated wastewater release will bring new questions, she said.

Aeon, a major supermarket chain that has been testing cesium and iodine levels in fish, announced plans to also test for tritium, a radionuclide inseparable from water.

Katsumasa Okawa, a fish store and restaurant operator who was at one of his four shops Thursday, said customers were sparse after the plant started its final steps of the treated water release at 1 p.m. and media reports covered the development.

But on Friday, he said, his Yamako seafood restaurant next to Iwaki’s main train station seemed to be doing business as usual, with customers coming in and out during lunchtime.

Okawa said he’s been looking forward to the wastewater draining as a big step toward decommissioning the nuclear plant. “I feel more at ease thinking those tanks will finally go away.”

Okawa, who said he did voluntary testing of his products for a number of years after the disaster, is worried about returning to the days of radiation testing and data as a benchmark of what to eat.

With ₧2.6-B budget hike, can BI process travelers faster?

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

RICE WAREHOUSE INSPECTIONS A SUSTAINED DRIVE–SPEAKER

SPEAKER Ferdinand Mar -

I n a statement, Recto said the BI’s pledge is part of its 2024 budget request of P4.24 billion, a 163-percent jump (or P2.63 billion) from its P1.61-billion 2023 budget.

Under budgeting rules and format, an agency’s deliverables, called “performance information,” are part of its appropriations request.

R ecto said that for 2024, the BI commits to a primary inspection processing time for 99 percent of entering and exiting passengers.

“ That’s their promissory note to taxpayers: Increase our budget to P4.25 billion, and almost all passengers will be gone in 45 seconds,” he said.

R ecto called on BI to “better deliver on this pledge because the P2.6-billion increase they are seeking will be for new equipment for, in their own words, ‘the enhancement of the border management information system.’”

A nd whatever that system is, he stressed, “it should be able to filter out undesirables like undocumented POGO workers and not establish a Berlin Wall of immigration hurdles for Filipinos going on budget tours to nearby Asian cities.”

R ecto said that “for clarity of objective,” Congress should insist that the processing time be clocked the moment a passenger lines up

and not when he or she is in front of the immigration booth.

R ecto is also wondering how the new government rules that will take effect on September 2, which require Filipinos traveling overseas to be ready to present more documentary requirements, would impact the BI’s “gone in 45 seconds rule.”

Will this create a logjam that will hassle not just travelers but immigration officers as well? If the processing is as lengthy as a job interview or like a cross-examination with more questions, will the stricter rules cut speed?” Recto said.

R ecto said rising passenger volumes plus the lack of airport space to put up more immigration booths slow down passenger processing.

R ecto said the government should plow back to Filipino travelers the tax they pay for the right to travel and the fees for the use of airports.

H e described Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) as a “profit center” for all government offices operating there.

A s air travel normalizes, the agencies are on target to equal or surpass their pre-pandemic 2019 earnings, he said.

T he gross revenues of the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa), which runs Naia, were

P15.2 billion in 2019.

T hat year, Tieza raked in P7.2 billion in travel tax collections, Recto added. “It was also in 2019 that B.I. reported a gross income of P10.5 billion.”

IACAT rules

CAGAYAN de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, meanwhile, opposed the decision of the InterAgency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) to impose stricter rules on Filipino travelers, including migrant workers, starting September 3.

“

The more stringent rules will unduly interfere with the Filipinos’ right to travel,” Rodriguez, a former immigration commissioner, said. Noting that the additional regulations would require a traveler to show proof of financial capacity like a bank statement and proof of income, the Mindanao lawmaker said such a requirement would “violate the departing passenger’s right to privacy.”

“ Those are unreasonable rules. They will give Filipino tourists, overseas Filipino workers, and other travelers a lot of inconvenience, and they could make them vulnerable to harassment and extortion by corrupt immigration officers and other airport personnel,” he said.

See

tin G. Romualdez has assured Filipino consumers that the surprise inspections at warehouses holding rice stocks last week were not a one-hit wonder and that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) would continue to carry out more inspections.

R omualdez, in a statement, said the House of Representatives will also ensure that rice will not experience the same fate as onions, which went out of style last year when they hit ludicrous costs of over P700 per kilo.

R omualdez said he agrees with the remark of House Committee on Agriculture and Food Chairman Wilfrido Mark Enverga, that “rice hoarding is economic sabotage in its highest degree.”

“ Shame on us, the officials in government, if we let that happen again, especially to our staple food. Thanks to the hearings in aid of legislation led by Cong. Enverga, we already know exactly how a cartel works. We’re going to stop them, we’re not going to let them score again,” the Speaker said.

L ast August 24, the joint contingent from the House and BOC swooped down at warehouses in Bulacan and found over 200,000 sacks of

rice that were seemingly being purposely held.

“

I thank Commissioner Bienvenido “Bien” Y. Rubio for his initiative of peering into these suspicious warehouses at a time when Filipinos are grappling with rising rice prices. This will make hoarders think twice about their schemes,” Romualdez said.

“

We need to carry out more of these inspections, and I trust the commissioner to do so in order to keep rice traders obedient to the law,” Romualdez said.

D uring the inspection, the BOC, armed with letters of authority, barred the owners of the Great Harvest Rice Mill Warehouse, the San Pedro Warehouse, and the FS Rice Mill from retrieving the goods pending submission of the required documents on their rice importation.

R omualdez stressed that the discovered supply of rice should be released to the local market in order to mitigate the rising prices of the staple grain.

For the past few weeks, the price of rice has been steadily rising, with retailers selling it at P50 to P62 per kilogram in Metro Manila. If left unaddressed, it is projected to reach P60 to P65 in the coming days.

Marie N. Dela Cruz

Jovee

DENR: Multisectoral partnership will boost climate resilience

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is calling for stronger multi-stakeholer collaboration to implement riskinformed and inclusive actions that will enhance the country’s resilience against climate disaster. DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga made the call as she led the launching of the DENR’s Project Transform in two areas in Bataan province on July 31.

I n a statement, the DENR chief affirmed the DENR’s commitment to facilitating investments for climate and disaster resilience through multi-stakeholder partnerships which she believes have a vital role in playing and accelerating an integrated, inclusive, and transformative resilience agenda.

A lthough the Philippines has made significant progress in disaster risk reduction and climate action, it is still one of the most vulnerable countries to natural and man-made hazards, as well as the impacts of climate change.

“ What is happening to our ecosystems, in our communities is now indisputable--referring to the fact that humans have caused these problems--and in

some cases, our ecosystems are at the point of being irreversibly damaged,” Loyzaga said in a statement.

T he key findings of the Working Group II contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showed that increases in the frequency and intensity of climate and weather extremes worldwide have had “widespread and pervasive effects on ecosystems, people, settlements, and infrastructure.”

These climate change impacts have been attributed to human activities.

T he IPCC report further stated that with increased global warming, climate change threats to cities, communities, and critical infrastructure will increase significantly in the mid-and long-term, particularly in areas already exposed to high temperatures, near coasts, or with high vulnerabilities.

She cited anew the importance of collaboration with the other members of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and all other sectors in the transformation towards adaptive and inclusive governance and resilient communities, in view of the linkage between human development, economic development, natural hazards, climate change, biodiver -

sity, water and health.

“Our course of action must be unified and this can only be done by understanding the interdependence between our social, engineered, and natural systems. This interdependence has given rise to multiple and dynamic complexities, and we need to constantly balance our evidence-informed decisions, policies, and our actions,” Loyzaga pointed out.

“ Leadership and governance are integral parts of resilience in building a system, and a network of decisions that lead to specific outcomes and impacts that we would all like to achieve,” she added.

To build disaster resiliency and environmental sustainability through multi-stakeholder partnerships, the DENR recently launched the latest initiatives under Project TRANSFORM or Transdisciplinary Approach for Resilience and Environmental Sustainability through Multistakeholder Engagement in the municipality of Abucay and Balanga City in Bataan.

U nder Project TRANSFORM, The DENR will implement the Mangrove Adoption and Protection Project in Abucay in partnership with San Miguel Foundation Inc. and Samahan ng Mananahong ng Sitio Bakawan.

Churchmen in BKSE race must step down

By Patrick V. Miguel

ASPIRING political leaders who are incumbent officers and members of any church organization must step down for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections

members to file for a leave

of absence before running to avoid “the potential for confusion when it comes to exercising power both in the church and in public office”.

All incumbent officers and members of different church organizations who wish to be elected as public officials should file a leave of absence addressed to their respective parish priests,” Villarojo said.

“ In failure to do so, they will be automatically resigned from their posts effective upon their filing of

certificate of candidacy,” he added. Using any church faculties and affiliations during the campaign, such as wearing church organization shirts, are discouraged by the diocese.

C andidates who lose in the election may resume their duties in the Church, subject to the approval of the parish priest, the prelate said.

In this regard, we wish to guard our faithful against possible accusations of using the church for partisan exercise,” said Villarojo.

FOR an additional P2.63 billion— one of the biggest budget increases among agencies for next year—the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it would process incoming and outgoing travelers “within 45 seconds,” but “will new rules prevent this?” asked Deputy House Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto on Sunday.

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies

B1

Monday, August 28, 2023

Meralco sources 1,880MW from various RE suppliers

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

The Manila electric Co. (Meralco) has contracted 1,880 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (Re) capacity from various suppliers, exceeding its initial target of 1,500 MW, in compliance with and in support of the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) policy of the Department of energy (DOe).

Under the RPS, electricity suppliers are mandated to source a portion of their requirements from R e given the government’s goal to increase the share of R e in the country’s energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. Currently, the RPS requirement is set at +2.52 percent per annum.

Through Meralco’s strategic sourcing initiatives, R e is expected to account for 22 percent of the distribution utility’s supply portfolio by 2030, and 18 percent of Meralco’s retail electricity supplier, MPower, by 2025. This will eventually allow the

company to reduce its total carbon emissions by 15 percent vis-à-vis its projected baseline 2030 emissions, in line with its energy transition commitment.

“Our just, orderly, and affordable transition to clean energy is at the core of our sustainability journey, and this commitment solidifies our drive to bring to life projects that will help serve the country’s growing energy demand with greener power,” Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond Ravelo said in a statement over the weekend.

“We will continue to elevate and evolve our sustainability initiatives as we implement our long-term sustainability strategy that involves the adoption of next-generation clean technologies and deep decarbonization efforts as we aspire to be coalfree by 2050.”

In 2019, Meralco established its sustainability agenda called Powering the Good Life, which is deeply rooted in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and supported by four pillars: power, planet, people, and prosperity. Meralco is the largest electric power distribution company and the largest private sector utility in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Meralco’s social development arm, has installed a 5.1-kilowatt peak solar photovoltaic system for the rice milling facility of the Laak Multipurpose Cooperative (Lampco), whose operations have long been challenged by the lack of reliable power supply.

Meralco Foundation (OMFZ) said that with the new solar facility, the cooperative has increased its production by over threefold to over 100 sacks of milled rice daily from around 30 sacks per day previously. The boost in rice mill production also provides additional capital for farm-

of

ers to sustain their crops throughout the planting season.

Lampco General Manager edesa Morante said the energization assistance provided by OMF also allowed the cooperative to cater to more community members.

“While power is a basic need, the impact it generates to our organization and the community magnifies how power in its basic form can change lives and make it better. We are now moving forward as a multipurpose cooperative and along with us are the many households that depend on our services.”

The energization of agriculture and livelihood projects is among the initiatives of OMF under its community electrification program which also covers off-grid public schools, low-income households in the Meralco franchise area, rural health centers, and water access.

“Lack of electricity continues to be a challenge for many communities especially in rural Philippines. The agriculture and livelihood electrification is an expansion of our community electrification program that fosters inclusivity and equitable access to basic services powered by sustainable and renewable energy solution,” OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao said.

CIP to merge with 7 companies

By VG Cabuag @villygc

The board of Chemical Industries of the Philippines Inc.

(CIP) has approved the company’s merger with seven firms, with CIP as the surviving entity.

The eight-way merger and other related matters will be endorsed and presented for the approval of stockholders during their annual meeting.

The 7 companies are Unioil Group Inc., Addventure Properties Inc., Citiworld Properties and Development Corp., exquadra Inc., Quantumlink Realty Corp., Buklod Realty Corp. and Rivertanks Inc.

CIP either has indirect shareholdings in these firms or has the same controlling shareholders or certain common directors and officers.

“The corporation is authorized to issue new shares in exchange of the assets to be received from the absorbed companies as a result of the merger.

however, as of the meeting date, the Board has yet to determine the final number of shares to be issued in totality and to each of the absorbed companies, and there is a possibility that the number of shares to be issued may be adjusted,” the company said in its disclosure.

CIP said the move is also in line with its “strategic direction”

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

to become an investment holding company.

It said that the constituent companies own, hold and manage various assets for the same ultimate beneficial owners and are part of one group.

“It is deemed advisable to merge the eight companies, in order to achieve greater efficiency and economy in management and operations.”

The merger will be subject to the approval of the Securities and exc hange Commission and confirmation of non-coverage by the Philippine Competition Commission. The timetable for implementation of the merger, including effective date, will depend on timeline of regulatory ap-

provals, the company said.

CIP was incorporated on January 6, 1959. The company and its subsidiaries are engaged in the manufacture, sale and distribution of industrial chemicals and leasing of office space to related and outside parties.

CIP has two business segments: chemicals and leasing. The chemicals segment manufactures and trades chemical products for water and sewage treatment and inorganic coagulants for the paper industry. The company ceased operations of this segment since the cessation of operations of CAWC Inc., Chemphil Manufacturing Corp. and Kemwater Phil. Corp.

GLOBe Telecom Inc. said its mobile download and upload speeds improved in 127 areas in the second quarter compared to the previous quarter.

According to Globe, Independent validation from Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data has confirmed these results, underlining the digital solutions platform’s commitment to transparency and data-driven performance.

“As we’ve seen a consistent rise in demand for mobile data, especially in the last few years, we have been constantly improving our network to bring better experience to our customers. We are encouraged by these results, which prove that our efforts are paying off,” said Darius Delgado, head of Globe’s Consumer Mobile Business.

The biggest surge in upload speed of 717.32 percent was recorded in Clarin, Bohol. Meanwhile, Barira, Maguindanao demonstrated the highest boost in download speed with a 273.13-percent increase.

Clarin and Barira appeared in Globe’s top download and upload speed lists. They were joined by Taytay, Palawan; Claveria, Cagayan; San Agustin, Surigao del Sur; and Calubian, Leyte.

Globe cited 22 locations with the

highest improvement in download speeds. These include Barira, Maguindanao (273.13 percent); Indanan, Sulu (185.22 percent); Taytay, Palawan (177.42 percent); Toboso, Negros Occidental (168.78 percent); and Tubay, Agusan Del Norte (143.23 percent). Also, there were 28 locations that recorded better upload speeds. These include Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay (236.07 percent); Claveria, Cagayan (175.8 percent); San Fernando, Bukidnon (161.85 percent); and Taytay, Palawan (136.76 percent).

Globe said this achievement affirms the company’s commitment to delivering superior connectivity, opening new opportunities for growth and development across the archipelago.

In February, the company said it remains confident that its capital expenditures (capex) for 2023 will still allow the Ayala-led telco to sustain its growth momentum “without sacrificing customer experience.”

In a press briefing, Globe CFO Rizza Maniego- e a la said the company decided to lower this year’s capex to $1.3 billion from $1.9 billion in 2022, as it already frontloaded most of its expenses during the pandemic. Lenie Lectura

SINOPe C S first-half profits shrank amid lower oil prices and fuel demand being weighed down by China’s sluggish economic recovery.

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., as it’s officially known, posted net income of 36.12 billion yuan ($4.96 billion), according to international financial reporting standards. That compared with a revised 44.8 billion yuan a year earlier.

Domestic sales of refined oil products at Sinopec, China’s largest fuel-maker, rose 18 percent in the first six months from the previous year, when residents in megacities like Shanghai were completely locked down for months on end. Still, a lingering property crisis and weaker overseas demand for exports have kept the recovery in check.

Meanwhile, crude prices were 24 percent lower than the year before, reducing the value of Sinopec’s global oil and gas production. Bloomberg News

The Board of Investments (BOI) intends to forge a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Taiwan’s cold chain industry in support of the Philippines’s bid to become a hub for smart cold chain and logistics services in Asia by 2028.

The BOI said Taiwan has advanced cold chain solutions and state-of-theart systems that would be beneficial to local industry needs. ef forts to link Taiwanese cold chain investors with Filipino partners for possible investments in cold chain activities will also facilitate the modernization, greening, and sustainability of the cold chain industry in the Philippines.

“These companies that are setting up their operations in the Philippines is very timely and strategic, considering recent liberalization under the Amended Public Service Act on cold chain activities,” BOI Governor Marjorie O. Ramos-Samaniego said.

She also said the country’s growing population, increasing urbanization, rising middle class, vibrant consumer market and growing e-commerce sector make the Philippines “the best place” to put up their business.

Ramos-Samaniego and Director

Raquel B. ec hague of the ResourceBased Industries Service met with the Taiwan Cold Chain Association (TCCA), thru its Chairman Freezer Lin, met with the Department of Commerce-Ministry of economic Affairs and Industrial Technology Research Institute to discuss areas of collaboration on cold chain industry development this month. Manila economic and Cultural Office thru Deputy Resident Representative Alice Q. Visperas welcomed the team facilitated by Philippine Trade and Investment Center (Taipei) Director for Commercial Affairs Anthony Rivera with the cooperation of Taipei

economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines.

The team met with the chairmen of evergreen International Storage and Transport Corp. and evergreen Logistics Corp., president of Y eS Liberal Logistics Corp., Advantech Co. Ltd. and RD&D Cold Logistics Co.

TCCA also hosted the team at the 5th Taipei International Cold Chain Tech exhibition at Nangang exhibition Center, and their visits to membercompanies’ facilities showcasing endto-end smart solutions to cold chain and logistics services such as environment sensing, artificial intelligence, robotics and internet of things.

The laboratory of Lima Water, Aboitiz InfraCapital’s water business unit, has again secured the recognition of the Department of environment and Natural Resources (DeNR) as an environmental testing laboratory.

This means Lima Water is authorized to conduct testing and analysis of water and wastewater to ensure that the quality adheres to national standards.

The company said it has obtained the DeNR’s approval to expand its scope of services, which will now include additional recognized effluent parameters such as ammonia, nitrate and color.

having received the DeNR’s recognition and approval to broaden our scope of services, we are now equipped to extend our laboratory services to other companies, assisting them in ensuring that their effluent adheres to government standards and promotes environmental preservation,” Lima Water General Manager ha zele Manalo said.

“With our expanded capabilities, we aim to contribute even more significantly to environmental conservation, water resource management, and sustainable practices.”

ef fluent refers to treated wastewater discharged into a natural body

of water. To protect the environment and public health from the adverse effects of pollution, the government has established effluent standards and regulations to limit the amount of pollutants and contaminants permissible for discharge into the environment.

“With the recent renewal of Lima Water’s DeNR recognition and the expansion of our laboratory services, we are steadfastly advancing the cause of environmental protection,” Aboitiz InfraCapital head of water business Anna Lu said.

“These milestones hold exceptional significance as we serve a diverse range of companies within the Lima estate. ensuring that the wastewater effluent quality meets the regulatory standards is an important measure to avert water contamination.”

Lima Water is the sole water and wastewater services provider for Lima estate, an industrial park development in Calabarzon, hosting more than 150 locators with over 65,000 employees. Operating two wastewater treatment facilities with a combined treatment capacity of 26 million liters of wastewater daily, Lima Water was able to treat more than 2 billion liters of wastewater in 2022. VG Cabuag

Customs collection seen higher with new building

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE Customs bureau said it expects higher revenue collections in Collection District X following the establishment of its new building at the Sub-Port of Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT).

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently unveiled its new building located at the Phividec Industrial Estate in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

“With the new facility, MCT Sub-port aims to increase its revenue contribution as well as improve its services to stakeholders,” the BOC said over the weekend.

The new building would house various BOC frontline offices in MCT such as Customer Care Center, Sub-port Collector’s Office, Assessment Division, Operations Division, Export Division, Piers and Inspection Division, and other key departments, according to the bureau.

In his speech during the building’s inauguration, BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio pointed out the Sub-

Port of MCT contributes “significantly” to the overall revenue collection of Collection District X. The sub-port, Rubio emphasized, accounts for more than half of the revenue collection of its district.

Collection District X Collector Alexandra Y. Lumontad said the new building “uplifted” the morale of the Customs personnel assigned at the MCT “through timely enhancement of their present working environment.”

“This will inspire them to work beyond the call of duty to maximize revenue collection, streamline customs processes, and prevent smuggling and other forms of fraud,” Lumontad was quoted as saying in the BOC’s news release.

Furthermore, the BOC also received a 5,000-square-meter lot within the Phividec Industrial Estate from the Phividec Industrial Authority (PIA) through a usufruct agreement.

“With Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental as gateways, the BOC has reinforced its position to cater to the growing economy of Northern Mindanao,” the BOC said.

Perspectives

Understanding the value of the metaverse for the TMT sector

KPMG commissioned a survey of 767 technology, media and telecommunication (TMT) executives to understand their preparedness for the metaverse. The survey titled

“Understanding the Value of the Metaverse,” shows many are trying to balance investing in an unknown future to avoid being blindsided by a metaverse pioneer, while making sure they don’t invest in projects that later become redundant.

Readiness

n TMT leaders are excited about the opportunity of the metaverse, but few are taking action.

n 59 percent believe the metaverse will have a huge impact on business and consumers.

n 53 percent are investing in metaverse staffing and resources.

n Investing in the metaverse is expected to have a big impact on digital transformation, innovation and customer engagement.

Vision

n Leaders are looking to the metaverse to drive revenue and profit.

n 61 percent believe they would see an increase of over 55 percent in revenue and profit margins.

n 57 percent have plans to implement augmented reality tools.

n Top desired outcomes: improved customer experience, product innovation and revenue growth.

Barriers

n The gap between action and capability is the main challenge for organizations in adopting the metaverse.

n Almost two-thirds of companies feel unprepared for designing metaverse experiences and processes.

n Proper technology and skill sets are the primary barriers to metaverse adoption and planning.

n 60 percent of tech, media and telco leaders believe metaverse success depends on increased customer demand.

Actualization

n Only one-quarter of tech, media and telco businesses are highly prepared for the metaverse.

n At least two-thirds of respondents agree that hiring talent for the metaverse is a big priority.

n Setting and tracking KPI and metaverse pilot projects will help companies build on their early success.

n Highly prepared companies are investing more in the metaverse and are more likely to anticipate those investments having a big impact.

3 key takeaways for TMT businesses

THERE’S plenty of excitement around the potential of the metaverse, including high hopes that successful implementation can boost bottom lines for TMT companies.

Solon flags ₧92.49B worth of unpaid SSS contributions

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

The panel chairman, Rizal 4th District Rep. Juan Fidel Felipe F. Nograles, issued his appeal after the Commission on Audit (COA) revealed that 466,881 employers from all over the country failed to remit more than P92.49-billion worth of premium collections to the Social Security System (SSS) last year.

Citing COA’s audit report issued last month, Nograles said

where to start?

But

Our report shares three approaches highly prepared organizations have taken.

1. Begin your metaverse journey at home. There’s opportunity to pilot metaverse initiatives and develop capabilities for the long-term within your own organization. The benefits of this include lower costs, lower risk (less client exposure), improved efficiencies, knowledge growth and tapping into existing capabilities.

2. Think big, start small, move fast. Closely monitor the progress of the metaverse and be nimble. Our survey showed highly prepared organizations have ambitious expectations for the metaverse, but also anticipate investing twice as much as their competitors. For the near term, investment can be channeled into innovation labs and centers of excellence for incremental learning rather than large-scale execution.

3. Focus on real business and customer value. Let business value drive the conversation rather than the technology. Have a well-developed plan and clear, measurable expectations. This includes defining realistic KPIs early. Revenue, for instance, is more likely to be a 2028 KPI, not a 2023 target.

In the Philippines, embracing the metaverse can help companies modernize their operations, enhance customer experiences and drive innovation in a digital-first world.

KPMG in the Philippines Technology Consulting Head and TMT Lead Jallain Marcel Manrique further explains, “the TMT sector plays a crucial role in the economy, with technology and telecommunications witnessing rapid growth and expansion. Understanding how the metaverse can impact this sector is essential for companies and policymakers in the country to stay competitive and seize emerging opportunities.”

Given the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of the Philippine market, understanding the relevance and implications of the metaverse can be a strategic advantage for TMT companies in the country.

The excerpt was taken from the KPMG Thought Leadership publication: https://kpmg. com/au/en/home/insights/2023/06/metaverse-opportunities-tmt-sector.html?utm_

medium=soc&utm_source=linkd-org&utm_ campaign=1085146860corps.

© 2023 KPMG Int’l Ltd. is a private English company limited by guarantee. R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership, is a member firm of a global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG Int’l Ltd. All rights reserved. E-mail ph-kpmgmla@kpmg.com or visit www.home.kpmg/ph. This article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice to a specific issue or entity. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the BusinessMirror, KPMG International or KPMG in the Philippines.

the SSS was only able to collect P2.48 billion, or less than three percent, of its P94.97-billion target for 2022.

He noted that the National Capital Region posted the lowest collection percentage at P383.78 million out of the target of P64.67 billion (0.59 percent), followed by the rest of Luzon at P747.59 million out of P22.33 billion (3.35 percent).

The Visayas’s collection per-

centage was at P305.54 million out of P6.48 billion (4.72 percent) and Mindanao at P405.8 million out of P7.33 billion (7.42 percent), the lawmaker noted. Nograles emphasized that the uncollected premiums are crucial in ensuring the SSS’s ability to uphold its duty of providing social security protection.

“The ability to continue to give members the claims and benefits they are entitled to is dependent on these collections,” the lawmaker said.

Nograles’s statement comes five months after the Employers Compensation Commission (ECC) lowered the penalty for delinquent SSS and Government Service Insurance contributors.

Under its Board Resolution 2212-36, the ECC decided to adjust the penalty rate for self-employed or employers, who are unable to remit the employees’ compensation contribution of their workers from

2 percent per month to just 6 percent per annum. (See https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/02/01/ fine-for-delinquent-sss-gsiscontributors-lowered/)

Nograles said employers may take advantage of the contribution penalty condonation programs that the SSS offers so their penalties may be waived.

“Let’s not wait for us to be sued for not paying,” Nograles said.

The SSS announced it issued notices of violation last August 11 to eight “delinquent” employers in the Makati Central Business District with P6.64 million in total estimated delinquencies.

The SSS said the delinquencies consist of P4.69 million in unpaid contributions and P1.95 million in penalties, which affected the monthly contributions of about 152 employees. (See https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/08/14/ sss-notifies-employers-of-delinquencies-of-p6-64m/)

Wipe out illicit trade to boost revenues–Gatchalian

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

SENATOR Sherwin T. Gatchalian goaded the government to address illicit trade in order to generate higher revenue collection and provide some relief for its limited fiscal space.

“The government needs to come up with a novel plan to address illicit trade,” Gatchalian told the executive department’s economic team during a recent Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing in the Senate on the 2024 national budget.

In the case of the tobacco industry for instance, Euromonitor

➜ MaxiLife hits 350,000 coverage

International Plc data provided by Philip Morris International Inc. showed that cigarettes sold from illicit trade have been steadily increasing from 10.8 percent in 2018 to 16.7 percent in 2022. This figure is projected to further rise this year to 18.5 percent or equivalent to P30 billion.

Gatchalian has earlier emphasized that instead of imposing new taxes, revenue-collecting agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) need to enhance tax administration efforts as the imposition of new taxes is only to the disadvantage of taxpayers who fulfill their obliga-

MAXICARE Life Insurance Corp. (MaxiLife) announced that its policy-holders reached 350,000, reflecting the company’s exponential growth after securing its operating license from the Insurance Commission (IC) in July 2022. In a statement, MaxiLife credited this milestone to its professional staff. The firm said these employees were prepared when the IC green-lighted in January the first set of Group Life Insurance products that MaxiLife planned to offer to corporate clients and group affiliates. By March, the firm was certified as a “Great Place to Work.”

According to MaxiLife, these milestones strengthened its position in the Philippine market. Roderick L. Abad

➜ SECB finance arm awarded

SB Finance Inc., the consumer finance arm of Security Bank Corp. (PSE: SECB), announced bagging the award for “Best Digital Consumer Lending in the Philippines” from Singapore-domiciled TAB Global Pte. Ltd. The firm said through a statement the award “recognizes SB Finance’s recent investments in its people, products, distribution channels, and operations, as well as its strategic utilization of cloudnative technologies to benefits its target market. These combined factors led to the successful launch of multiple lending products, services, and onboarding facilities to help Filipinos make informed decisions and enable smooth adoption of digital financial transactions.” Abigail Marie Dans-Casanova, president and CEO, said the recognition “shows that after three challenging years of the pandemic, SB Finance is right on track.”

➜ Maya bags awards MAyA Philippines Inc. (MPI) announced recognition from several groups for its marketing and public relations campaigns. In a statement, the firm said it was awarded for the “Brand Development” and “Public Relations” event categories in the 22nd “PR Awards Asia.” MPI said it was also recognized by Singapore-domiciled TAB Global Pte. Ltd. for “Best Digital Brand Campaign.” MPI said it “doubled down on digital banking, capturing a 61-percent share of the digital bank deposit accounts,” based on submitted company data and the official data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as of end-March. MPI said it has more than 2.3 million depositors as of end-June.

tion to the government.

“When we increase taxes, we are penalizing those who are paying taxes,” the senator noted, voicing concerns that “we have to address illicit trade or it will be very hard to justify new taxes because some people are making P30 billion a year from illicit trade.”

“If you raise taxes, it becomes very attractive for illicit traders to go into this type of business because the reward is very high,” Gatchalian added.

The senator then asked the administration’s economic team: “How are we addressing illicit trade? What type of enforcement are we doing to curb illicit trade in the different prod-

ucts that we have imposed taxes on?”

In addition, Gatchalian stressed that while he fully supports the goal of increasing revenue collection, “the government must adopt mechanisms that would minimize, if not eradicate, illicit trade.”

The senator added that revenue collecting agencies should also tap the support of various local government units (LGUS) in undertaking a campaign against illicit trade.

“Why don’t we ask for the help of LGUs? They know each and every bodega in their localities. We can put in place a reward system if they find a bodega being used for illicit trade,” Gatchalian said.

China cuts tax on stock trading to boost market

CHINA lowered the stamp duty on stock trades for the first time since 2008, marking a major attempt to restore confidence in the world’s second-largest equity market.

The levy charged on stock trades will be halved effective August 28, the government said in a statement Sunday. Trading floors have been abuzz with anticipation of a reduction since Beijing issued a rare pledge last month to “invigorate capital markets and boost investor confidence.”

The reduction has the potential to trigger a knee-jerk rally in China’s $9.6 trillion equity market, which is highly sensitive to policy shifts that impact market liquidity. The cut is a boon for Chinese brokerages as well as quantitative hedge funds that use rapid-fire trading strategies.

Authorities have been trying to lure back investors who have soured on the country’s assets as worrying signs mount in the economy, from a property slump to trust defaults and weak consumption metrics. Foreign investors sold mainland China

stocks on a net basis for 13 consecutive sessions through Wednesday, the longest stretch ever, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The CSI 300 Index has declined about 4 percent in 2023 after backto-back annual losses, and is underperforming a broader gauge of Asian equities by about six percentage points. Authorities this month urged the nation’s top financial institutions including pension fund and large banks to increase stock investments to support the market.

They have also guided mutual fund managers to step up purchases of their own equity funds, cut handling fees on stock transactions and encouraged companies to step up share buybacks.

China adjusted the stamp duty on stock trading several times in the past. In May 2007, it raised the rate to 0.3 percent to cool a rally that was drawing more than 300,000 new investors a day. In April 2008, the government slashed the levy to 0.1 percent to support the market after a plunge, spurring a bull run the following year. Bloomberg News

Powell pushes dollar to longest weekly win streak

THE greenback climbed while US Treasuries slipped after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said policymakers are prepared to raise interest rates further if needed in the fight to reign in inflation.

The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index strengthened on Friday, bringing its weekly advance to 0.2 percent. The US currency

is poised to cap off a six-week streak of gains, the longest since May 2022.

All Group of 10 currencies minus the Australian dollar weakened against the greenback this week as investors contemplate the Fed’s path.

“Powell is even slightly more hawkish than expected,” said Valentin Marinov, head of G-10 FX strategy at Credit Agricole.

“The persistent tightening of financial conditions could erode risk sentiment in another boost to the dollar.”

The dollar has been rebounding as hope builds that the US may be able to skirt a recession while the Fed may have to persist in its rate hiking regime for a little bit longer to bring down inflation to the central bank’s 2 percent target.

Expectations for additional rate increases crept higher during and then after Powell’s speech. Overnight index swaps are pricing in around 17 basis points of additional rate hike premium for the November policy meeting, up from 15 basis points at Thursday’s close. That suggests a 68 percent chance of a 25 basis point hike at the meeting. Bloomberg News

THE chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Employment on Sunday urged employers who failed to remit their employees’ social security contributions to fulfill their obligations.

Nerve ageNts, poisoN aNd wiNdow falls. over the years, KremliN foes have beeN attacKed or Killed

By Dasha Litvinova The Associated Press

Over the years, Kremlin political critics, turncoat spies and investigative journalists have been k illed or assaulted in a variety of ways.

None, however, has been known to perish in an air accident. But last Wednesday, a private plane carrying a mercenary chief who staged a brief rebellion in Russia plummeted into a field from tens of thousands of feet after breaking apart.

A ssassination attempts against foes of President Vladimir Putin have been common during his nearly quarter century in power.

Those close to the victims and the few survivors have blamed Russian authorities, but the Kremlin has routinely denied involvement—as it did last Friday by saying it was “a complete lie” it had anything to do with the jet crash.

There also have been reports of prominent Russian executives dying under mysterious circumstances, including falling from windows, although whether they were d eliberate killings or suicides is sometimes difficult to determine.

Some prominent cases of documented killings or attempted k illings:

Political opponents

I N August 2020, opposition leader Alexei Navalny fell ill on a flight from Siberia to Moscow. The plane landed in the city of Omsk, where Navalny was hospitalized in a coma. Two days later, he was airlifted to Berlin, where he recovered.

H is allies almost immediately said he was poisoned, but Russian officials denied it. Labs in G ermany, France and Sweden confirmed Navalny was poisoned by a S oviet-era nerve agent known as Novichok, which he reported had been applied to his underwear. Navalny returned to Russia and was

convicted this month of extremism and sentenced to 19 years in prison, his third conviction with a prison sentence in two years on charges he says are politically motivated. In 2018, Pyotr Verzilov, a founder of the protest group Pussy Riot, fell severely ill and also was flown to Berlin, where doctors said poisoning was “highly plausible.”

He eventually recovered. Earlier that year, Verzilov embarrassed the Kremlin by running onto the field during soccer’s World Cup final in Moscow with three other activists to protest police brutality.

H is allies said he could have been targeted because of his activism.

Prominent opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza survived what he believes were attempts to poison him in 2015 and 2017. He nearly died from kidney failure in the first instance and suspected poisoning but no cause was deter -

mined. He was hospitalized with a s imilar illness in 2017 and put into a medically induced coma. His wife said doctors confirmed he was poisoned. Kara-Murza survived, and his lawyer says police have refused to investigate. This year, he was convicted of treason and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

The highest profile killing of a political opponent in recent years was that of Boris Nemtsov. Once deputy prime minister under Boris Yeltsin, Nemtsov was a popular politician and harsh critic of P utin. On a cold February night in 2015, he was gunned down by assailants on a bridge adjacent to

the Kremlin as he walked with his girlfriend in a death that shocked the country. Five men from the Russian region of Chechnya were convicted, with the gunman receiving up to 20 years, but Nemtsov's a llies said their involvement was an attempt to shift blame from the government.

Former intelligence operatives

I N 2 006, Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko, a former agent for t he KGB and its post-Soviet successor agency, the FSB, felt violently ill i n London after drinking tea laced with radioactive polonium-210, dying three weeks later. He had been investigating the shooting

i n t his May 10, 2002 file photo, a l exander Litvinenko, former KGB spy and author of the book Blowing up Russia: Terror From Within, is photographed at his home in London. in 2006, the Russian defector felt violently ill in London after drinking tea laced with radioactive polonium-210, dying three weeks later. ap a liS tair Fuller

death of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya as well as the Russian intelligence service’s alleged l inks to organized crime. Before dying, Litvinenko told journalists the FSB was still operating a poisons laboratory dating from the S oviet era.

A British inquiry found that Russian agents had killed Litvinenko, probably with Putin’s a pproval, but the Kremlin denied any involvement.

Another former Russian intelligence officer, Sergei Skripal, w as poisoned in Britain in 2018. He and his adult daughter Yulia fell ill in the city of Salisbury and spent weeks in critical condition. They survived, but the attack later claimed the life of a British woman and left a man and a police officer seriously ill.

Authorities said they both were poisoned with the military grade nerve agent Novichok. Britain blamed Russian intelligence, but Moscow denied any role. Putin called Skripal, a double agent for Britain during his espionage career, a “scumbag” of no interest to t he Kremlin because he was tried in Russia and exchanged in a spy swap in 2010.

was investigating, was shot and killed in the elevator of her Moscow apartment building on October 7, 2006—Putin’s birthday. She had won international acclaim for her reporting on human rights abuses in Chechnya. The gunman, from Chechnya, was convicted of the killing and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Four other Chechens were given shorter prison terms for their involvement in the murder.

Yuri Shchekochikhin, another Novaya Gazeta reporter, died of a sudden and violent illness in 2003. Shchekochikhin was investigating corrupt business deals and the possible role of Russian security services in the 1999 apartment house b ombings blamed on Chechen insurgents. His colleagues insisted t hat he was poisoned and accused the authorities of deliberately hindering the investigation.

Yevgeny Prigozhin and his lieutenants

W E d N ES d AY ’ S p lane crash that is presumed to have killed Yevgeny Prigozhin and top lieutenants of his Wagner private military company came two months t o the day after he launched an armed rebellion that Putin labeled “a stab in the back” and treason.” While not critical of Putin, Prigozhin slammed the Russian military leadership and questioned the motives for going to war in u k raine.

On Thursday, a preliminary u S intelligence assessment found that the crash that killed all 10 people aboard was intentionally caused by an explosion, according to u S a nd Western officials. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment. One said the explosion fell in line with Putin’s “long history of trying to silence his critics.”

left, during an unauthorized rally to commemorate journalists who had been killed in Russia, Moscow, December 17, 2006. novaya Gazeta journalists Politkovskaya was shot and killed in the elevator of her Moscow apartment building in 2006 and shchekochikhin died of a sudden and violent illness in 2003. ap/m Sha JapariDz e

in this image taken from video released by Razgruzka_Vagnera telegram channel on Monday, august 21, 2023, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group military company, speaks at an unknown location. Prigozhin's presumed death in a plane crash along with some of his top lieutenants raises uncertainty about the mercenary group’s future. r a zG r uzka_vaG nera zka_vaG nera tele G r am channel via ap

Journalists Nu M ERO u S j ournalists critical of authorities in Russia have been killed or suffered mysterious deaths, which their colleagues in some cases blamed on someone in the political hierarchy. In other cases, the reported reluctance by authorities to investigate raised suspicions.

Anna Politkovskaya, the journalist for the newspaper Novaya G azeta whose death Litvinenko

Putin’s spokesperson, d m itry Peskov, rejected allegations the Kremlin was behind the crash. “Of course, in the West those speculations are put out under a certain a ngle, and all of it is a complete lie,” he told reporters Friday.

In his first public comments on the crash, Putin appeared to hint there was no bad blood between him and Prigozhin. But former Kremlin speechwriter turned political analyst Abbas Gallyamov s aid: “Putin has demonstrated that if you fail to obey him without question, he will dispose of you without m ercy, like an enemy, even if you are formally a patriot.”

The attacks range from the exotic—poisoned by drinking polonium-laced tea or touching a deadly nerve agent—to the more mundane of getting shot at close range. Some take a fatal plunge from an open window.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during an event to mark the 80th anniversary of the World War ii Battle of Kursk at a memorial in the village of Ponyri, near Kursk, Russia, Wednesday, august 23, 2023. Gavriil Gri G o rov, Sputnik, k re mlin p o ol ph oto via ap

in this February 26, 2017, file photo, people gather in memory of opposition leader Boris nemtsov, portrait in center, in st Petersburg, Russia. Once deputy prime minister under Boris Yeltsin, nemtsov was a popular politician and harsh critic of Putin. On a cold February night in 2015, he was gunned down by assailants on a bridge adjacent to the Kremlin as he walked with his girlfriend in a death that sent shockwaves across the country. ap/ Dmitri lovet Sk y

LiB eR aL Yabloko party leader Grigory Yavlinsky holds a portrait of Yuri shchekochikhin, right, while an unidentified participant holds a portrait of anna Politkovskaya,

Style

JourNey throuGh woveN taleS:

Northern weaver Magdalena Gamayo inspires southern designers

Pay aS you Glow wIth SeCure aND eFFortleSS PayMeNtS

eXPerIeNCe the world of quality beauty and seamless convenience as Maya, the Philippines’ #1 Digital Banking app, teams up with lazada, the leading e-commerce platform, for a groundbreaking partnership that redefines online shopping with effortless payments and boosted savings.

w th a shared vision of #togetherweGlow, Maya and lazada give shoppers a safer and more convenient way to pay across the platform. as a start, customers can browse through the wide assortment of quality local and imported lazBeauty products at the best prices, add to cart, and check out conveniently with Maya.

“our collaboration with lazada marks a pioneering journey in digital banking and e-commerce, and this is just the start,” said Pepe torres, chief marketing officer at Maya. “By choosing to pay with the #1 digital bank, we can all have the confidence to indulge in our beauty and self-care needs so we can shine uninterrupted.”

according to Mishie de la Cruz, head of marketing solutions and affiliates at lazada Philippines, lazada empowers women every day. “through our partnership with Maya, we can continue to serve our communities of beauty and fashion enthusiasts, through effortless payments and a superior online shopping experience.”

w th Maya, making payments is as easy as a wallet and as safe as a bank. you only have to link your Maya app to your lazada account and make Maya your preferred mode of payment for your online shopping checkout. on top of amazing deals, you can also save while you spend with Maya, as your savings account can get a boosted interest rate of up to 10 percent interest per annum credited daily.

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ties that link traditions and modernity.”

The ribbon-cutting was graced by Manlilikha ng Bayan for Mat Weaving Estelita Bantilan, Commissioner Reden Ulo, Dr. Felipe M. de Leon Jr., Commissioner Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las, Engr. Jonathan Nick D. Santos, and OIC Davao City Tourism Operations Office Jennifer Romero.

The NCCA tapped two Davao designers, Mark Joseph Sayad and Neil Patrick Jimlani, to “transform Gamaba Gamayo’s masterworks into creative pieces in accord with the respectful treatment of indigenous expressions within Filipino mass societies.”

No other artist exemplifies the best of the abelweaving tradition than MB Gamayo. “She says good thread has to be resilient, able to withstand several passes through the loom. It should have a good weight and color, its fibers should not be loose, and it should endure years of use,” the NCCA notes.

“Evident is the handiwork that went into painstakingly arranging bolts of different-colored threads on the four-pedal loom and the math that went with it to ensure that the patterns are sharp and crisp and evenly spaced.”

Remarkably, MB Gamayo taught herself the traditional patterns of binakol, inuritan, kusikos, and the most challenging pattern—the Inubon a Sabong or string of flowers. It is with these exceptional parameters that Sayad and Jimlani were challenged with when they were especially handpicked by executive director Casaysay to incorporate Inabel into their collections.

I knew of the two designers from 2018, when Jimlani created the national costume for Jehza Huelar, when she competed at Binibining Pilipinas 2018, and when Sayad was one of the winners of the Kadayawn Ball design competition.

Jimlani presented his “Molino Ti Angin” resortwear collection, inspired by the Bangui Wind

Farm in llocos Norte. His pieces featured Binakol and Impalagto techniques, as well as the cat paw pattern, known as paddek pusa, and the intricate Inubon a Sabong or the string of flowers.

“It was a lot of pressure to work on Inabel and at the same time an honor to work on the fabric because mainly it was made by Gamaba Gamayo. Her creations really speak for culture and tradition. The versatility of the textile is what makes it great. It is evident that Inabel is resilient and could stand the test of time,” said Jimlani.

His finale piece was modeled by Miss Grand International 2016 First Runner-up Nicole Cordoves, who wore a one-shoulder asymmetrical trumpet gown with Inabel fabric. It is a collaboration of Inabel with Italian Gazaar in dusty blue accentuated with crystals and acrylic beading.

For his part, Sayad showcased his San Pedro Cathedral Collection, inspired by the St. Peter

Donny Pangilinan, eXo’s Chanyeol front beauty campaigns

“For body acne, I use the QUICKFX Pimple Eraser Acne Body Spray. It’s so small it fits into any carry on or bag and it’s so easy to use. You literally just spray it on,” said the 25-year-old Donny.

The QUICKFX Pimple Eraser Acne Body Spray has two percent salicylic acid to dry body acne. It also claims to be free of alcohol, parabens, and fragrance.

Another must-have for Donny is the QUICKFX Pimple Eraser Spot Patch, which he likes for convenience and ease of use. The patches have microneedle technology and serve as a protective cover. These are formulated with madecassoside, camellia sinensis leaf extract, and salicylic acid.

DONNy PANGILINAN S most memorable pimple story happened when he and his friends were about to go to a concert. On that very important day, he woke up with a big pimple on the tip of his nose.

Donny’s pimple encounters were normal in the sense that like any teenager, he would have some breakouts but nothing too serious. These days, he is more bothered by body acne, being an athlete who’s into golf, triathlon, and basketball, among other sports. He sweats a lot when in sporting mode and he also drinks whey protein, which can lead to increased sebum production and acne breakouts.

Donny likes the patches not being very visible so he can wear it out of the house.

Donny is QUICKFX’s ambassador, and, to welcome him, the brand launched the Pimple Eraser Essentials Kit, a limited-edition pouch containing its best sellers at full size for just P899. Each limited-edition kit contains a 30ml bottle of the QUICKFX Pimple Eraser Recovery Concentrate that lightens and fades acne marks and dark spots, the QUICKFX Pimple Eraser Cream for eliminating breakouts, a pack of the spot patches, and the body acne spray. Each kit comes in a

handy travel pouch.

Just before the launch of the Pimple Eraser Essentials Kit at Watsons in The Block SM City North Edsa, lucky shoppers got an unexpected treat as Donny himself showed up at the QUICKFX counter to assist them with their skin care inquiries, while giving recommendations on his favorites from the brand. Ten of Donny’s fans and Pimple Eraser loyalists also got the rare chance for a meet and greet and a selfie with the actor simply by joining the “Can You Catch Donny?” promo. The contest awarded those who garnered the highest cumulative spend on QUICKFX Pimple Eraser products purchased exclusively in Watsons stores and Watsons online. These lucky fans even got to take home a limitededition Pimple Eraser Essentials Kit signed by Donny!

The young actor said he is proud to be a man who takes care of his skin. “I think we should break that stereotype na girls lang ’yung dapat na mag-skincare. Men should also take care of their skin and there’s nothing wrong with that,” he said.

Meanwhile, in what is one of the year’s most anticipated K-pop-related beauty announcements, Ever Bilena bared its new partnership with EXO’s

Metropolitan Cathedral. With Gamaba Gamayo’s woven textiles, he featured the highly technical Impalagto techniques, the intricate Pinalagtwan and Kahonado, and the timeless Binakol Kusikos. He also used tulle and organza. His finale piece for Nicole was also inspired by the San Pedro Cathedral’s awe-inspiring architectural beauty, with modern elements and frontal curved concepts incorporating geometrical patterns that shimmer.

“It was really challenging to be part of the Panaglaga Ti Lagda: Weave Transcending Time, a Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Fashion Exhibition. I was pressured but at the same time it was an honor to be part of this wonderful event knowing that it’s my first time joining a Gamaba event,” Sayad said.

“Using Inabel fabric is like weaving it with pride and giving honor to our Gamaba awardee Magdalena Gamayo.” n

Chanyeol! Ever Bilena is Chanyeol’s first-ever Filipino cosmetics endorsement, while he is also Ever Bilena’s first-ever male and international brand ambassador.

“Chanyeol’s world-class appeal makes him a great representative for Ever Bilena. His heart and positive personality are both aspirational and relatable to Ever Bilena users,” said Ever Bilena’s Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Denice Sy.

Chanyeol is very popular in the Philippines. In fact, he also endorses a local clothing brand.

Chanyeol fronts Ever Bilena’s “EB Plus” collection, consisting of the EB Plus Shape & Set Brow Duo (P275), EB Plus Fearless Serum Skin Foundation (P325), EB Plus Two Way Cake Serum Foundation (P250), and the brand’s newest drop, the EB Plus Serum Tinted Lip Balm (P245), which comes in four shades. I heard that Bloom is already sold out in many stores as this is said to be Chanyeol’s favorite.

You may shop the EB Plus collection at all Watsons, SM Beauty stores, Robinsons Department Stores, The Landmark, W Department Store, and other premiere department store outlets nationwide. Chanyeol’s picks are also available online at Ever Bilena’s flagship stores in Shopee, Tiktok, and Lazada.

2012 Gawad ng Manlilikha ng Bayan (Gamaba) awardee Magdalena Galinato Gamayo (NCCA); Nicole Cordoves wearing Mark Joseph Sayad (RiCC Dee RosA ToleNTo phoTo) and Neil Patrick Jimlani (NiCole CoRDoves FACebook)

Padday na Lima Collections Fashion Show unveils indigenous masterpieces

ALABANG, Muntinlupa City, the heart of the Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair was filled with excitement as the highly anticipated Padday na Lima Collections Fashion Show unfolded its grandiose art of weaves and colors at the Festival Mall, bringing to life the tapestry of indigenous culture, creativity, and craftsmanship.

This runway, held in collaboration with the Department of Tourism Region 2, lit up the stage with a vibrant display of best creations from the local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises' (MSMEs). These included a stunning array of textiles, weaves, crafts, and designs, each a testament to the region's rich artistic heritage, for you feel the heart of the valley's cultural traditions.

Dendridge Atelier by Dendridge Alvarez, a well-known designer in Region 2, took the spotlight, showcasing combinations of modern fashion and traditional artistry with their extraordinary designs, paying homage to the legacy of Region 2.

The fashion show proudly featured a lineup of distinguished MSMEs, including: Indigenous Enabel Craft by Andrea Aswige which specializes in raw fabrics from Quezon, Isabela; Santos Women Weavers Association, which also specializes in raw fabrics and also from Quezon, Isabela; Sta. Praxedes Sarakat Women Weavers Association which specializes in woven bags and an eclectic range of woven items from Sta. Praxedes, Cagayan; Andrea’s Paper Beads by Jessah

Online gaming platform ArenaPlus Welcomes

NBA star Jordan Clarkson as its Official Endorser

ARENAPLUS, a 24/7 online sports betting platform in the Philippines serving as the official sports entertainment gateway of PBA and the official gaming partner of PVL and STL, proudly announces NBA basketball star Jordan Clarkson as its newest official endorser.

This momentous deal follows the brand’s recent partnership pacts with the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and GILAS Pilipinas.

The brand warmly welcomes Jordan Clarkson’s entry. His endorsement shows ArenaPlus’ growing venture in providing excellent and top-tier sports entertainment, along with its commitment to bring more fun to the Filipino people. With Jordan’s presence, the brand ensures a more accessible world class basketball entertainment, anytime and anywhere.

The signed partnership also promises an exciting experience for basketball fans and enthusiasts in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. The event will take place in the country from August 25 to September 10.

ArenaPlus supports Jordan Clarkson as he joins the national basketball team in

competing in the highly-anticipated FIBA tournament.

Support your favorite teams and keep yourself updated with the current scores and results of numerous games worldwide with ArenaPlus. Download the app now via Google Play and the App Store.

Andrea Domingo which specializes in accessories (paper earrings, bracelet, etc.) from Quezon, Isabela; and JoanTrepreneur by Joan C. Magat which specializes in hand-made and hand-painted bags (crafted from jute material) from Solana, Cagayan

The Padday na Lima Collections Fashion Show is a dynamic representation of how tradition and innovation may coexist, how culture and creativity can converge, and how the past and future can coexist inseparably. It not only highlights the creative accomplishments of the region but also stresses the significance of promoting local businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship, and safeguarding Region 2's history.

Cleanfuel Expands Retail Network in Laguna; Opens 9th gasoline station in Alaminos

CLEANFUEL , the purveyor of Quality Fuel for Less, recently announced the opening of its newest station in Alaminos Laguna, strategically situated along the Alaminos-Lipa Access Road, less than two kilometers from the intersection of the Maharlika Highway.

This new gasoline station signifies more than just affordable and ecoconscious fuel options; it ushers in economic opportunities for the locals and upgraded facilities for travelers passing through the town.

Just two months following the inauguration of the Calauan-San Pablo branch, Cleanfuel extends its commitment to excellence with the launch of the Alaminos branch.

Laguna is already home to stations in Biñan, Sta. Rosa, Calamba, Los Baños, Pila, Calauan, San Pablo North and San Pablo South. That brings to nine the total number of stations that boast of similar dimensions and equipped with precision-engineered pumps and the

much-appreciated feature of pristine, air-conditioned restrooms.

The residents of Alaminos were filled with anticipation as they gathered to witness the grand opening ceremony, an event of profound significance that harmonizes progress and sustainability for the town. With its contemporary architecture and sleek aesthetics, the Cleanfuel branch seamlessly blends into the local landscape while imparting modern convenience.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, graced by Cleanfuel’s esteemed executives and esteemed local dignitaries, underscored the company’s unwavering dedication to investing in the Alaminos community. The event emphasized Cleanfuel’s unwavering commitment to supplying cleaner fuel alternatives via premiumgrade fuels, catalyzing reduced emissions and heightened engine performance.

Atty. Jesus “Bong” Suntay, President and CEO of Cleanfuel, said that the selection of Alaminos for the brand’s expansion was based on its strategic

Grill expert Mang Inasal accelerates growth with new stores in 2023; more expected soon

AS it celebrates its 20th year, Mang Inasal, the Philippines’ Grill Expert, continues to expand its store network nationwide.

In the first half of 2023, seven new branches have opened including Biñan, Laguna; SM City Grand Central, Caloocan; Baler, Aurora; SM City Tuguegarao; WalterMart Caloocan;  WalterMart Capas Tarlac; and Polomolok, South Cotabato.

“Mang Inasal is inspired to reach more customers nationwide,” said Mang Inasal President Mike V. Castro. “We want everyone to taste our delicious, char-grilled food and the unlimited fun that goes with it when our customers enjoy it with their loved ones.”

From a traditional Pinoy Grillery, Mang Inasal has evolved into the country’s Grill Expert with a new store design ready for the world. The new branches greet customers with an enticing façade, gold standard food and service, and a clean kitchen with modern equipment to reduce smoke and ensure store safety.

Among the Mang Inasal stores set to open for the rest of the year are those in Cavite, Quezon, Leyte, Samar, Quezon City and Marikina.

Want Mang Inasal exclusives NOW? Visit  www.manginasal.com  for the latest updates and  https://manginasaldelivery.com. ph for delivery deals.

Roundtable ATM (AutoTech and Mobility) Spotlight: Grab Philippines’ Grace Vera Cruz to Deliver the Keynote Address

location, targeting thriving areas poised for further growth - a vision bolstered by the imminent opening of the SLEX Extension passing through Alaminos. “We wanted to establish Cleanfuel in the vibrant community of Alaminos. Our presence extends beyond providing cleaner fuel options; it encompasses many economic opportunities and a broader economic upliftment for the town of Alaminos,” Atty. Suntay said as he also underscored how the site was a refreshing place to be surrounded by trees and a six-lane highway.

A remarkable highlight of the new Cleanfuel branch is its cuttingedge restroom facilities. Pioneering a revolution in roadside restroom experiences, Cleanfuel introduces airconditioned, immaculate, and stylish restrooms catering to both travelers and local patrons. These restrooms incorporate water-conservation features and energy-efficient lighting, seamlessly aligning with Cleanfuel’s core commitment to sustainability and traveler comfort. Cleanfuel’s Alaminos branch extends an array of fuel choices tailored to diverse vehicles and preferences, empowering drivers to make conscientious selections that champion environmental responsibility, without sacrificing performance or affordability.

As Cleanfuel’s sphere of influence expands, the Alaminos community warmly embraces the opportunities brought forth by this new branch. With its focal points encompassing job creation, eco-friendly energy solutions, and elevated facilities, Cleanfuel metamorphoses not only the refueling landscape but also fosters holistic growth within the regions it serves.

For travelers navigating through Alaminos, Cleanfuel’s 9th branch offers more than just a refueling stop; it offers a glimpse into the potential of sustainable business practices, fostering a positive impact on the environment and the communities it serves.

THE Roundtable ATM (AutoTech and Mobility), scheduled on August 29, 2023 at the Asian Institute of Management-Dado Banatao Incubator, is expected to be a watershed moment for the future of the aforementioned industry in the Philippines. Leading figures from diverse fields, each with a unique and grounded perspective on the landscape’s rapid evolution, will share their expertise and vision.

A standout moment of the event is the anticipated keynote address by Grace Vera Cruz, the esteemed Country Head for Grab Philippines. As the leader of Grab in the country, a pioneering industry force, and a “big sibling” in the autotech and mobility sector, Vera Cruz embodies the excellence and innovation that emerging startups in this space aspire to achieve. Her extensive expertise in operations and strategy provides invaluable insights and direction for the autotech and mobility industries.

Following the keynote address will be valuable insights from technology entrepreneurs and startup founders who have been innovating the autotech and mobility landscape in the nation:

Forent: A dynamic peer-to-peer platform connecting car owners with renters, redefining community-driven mobility;

AutoServed: A digital platform connecting car owners to service providers, offering transparent pricing and real-time repair updates; Oseas Tech: A platform connecting

individuals and businesses with tailored insurance solutions, aligning protection with needs to ensure a fortified future;

FAME: A tech startup providing cuttingedge IoT solutions designed to advance and sustain global transportation and logistics; and LexMeet: A legal platform seamlessly connecting lawyers and clients through modernized and simplified legal consultations in real-time.

The day promises to be action-packed right from the start, with the 7:30 am registration handled by the proficient C4 Events team. Following an attendee callout by JT Solis, co-founder and CEO of agritech Mayani and an esteemed AIM-DBI Startup Alumnus, the stage will be set for the day’s illuminating discussions.

Opening remarks will be made by Homer Nievera, an enabler of ATM through his influential Negosentro media group and the trailblazing startup, FAME. His insights are eagerly anticipated, given his pivotal role in shaping the discourse in this sector.

The direction and vision of ATM will be delineated by Mark Saberola, founder of AutoServed, one of the pillar startups instrumental in the formation of the ATM association. His address will be followed by a deep dive into the proposed association’s legal architecture by Atty. Marlon Valderama, founder of LexMeet, elucidating the regulatory landscape and guidelines for stakeholders.

Vera Cruz’s keynote address is expected to be a masterclass on the challenges and opportunities presented by technological disruptions in the mobility space, given her extensive experience at the helm of Grab Philippines and other top organizations.

Prim Paypon, whose stewardship as Executive Director of AIM-DBI has been instrumental in propelling many startups to success, will deliver insightful closing remarks and hope to encourage everyone to take part.

The Roundtable ATM is more than just an event; it is a turning point in the AutoTech and Mobility sector’s voyage in the Philippines. With such a distinguished panel, the future appears thrilling and promising.

For additional information or mediarelated questions, please contact April Sanchez at secretariat@autotechmobility.org or autoserved@aim.edu.

Cleanfuel President and CEO Atty. Jesus “Bong” Suntay (second from right) joins the Cleanfuel team and business partners at the launch of the Cleanfuel Alaminos station.

Pinoy exPressions and Phrases with interesting origins

THE whole month of August celebrates “Buwan ng Wika” which aims to focus on the importance of the Filipino language, not only for students but for the whole population.

Those of us who work in the corporate world, especially in public relations and communications, are often more at home and comfortable in conversing and even thinking in English so we often take for granted or miss out on certain beautiful Filipino expressions that were born out of history and usage.

I have been hearing some very strong and graphic Pinoy expressions over the years but never completely understood how they originated—until 2016 when someone shared it to our Viber group and it made so much sense to me that I resolved to share it someday. I decided to dig it up again recently and was getting frustrated that I could no longer find it until my dear cousin Gunter Moral who is based in California forwarded it to me after I inquired about it in our group chat. So, I would like to share it here, not only for those of us in the communications industry, but more so for the younger generation who may be unaware or sometimes even clueless how these expressions ever started.

Therefore, to cap the August celebration of “Buwan ng Wika,” let me present some fairly old Pinoy expressions I have heard uttered by some people in the distant past, notably by veteran journalists who knew what the phrases meant and in what context they came to be used.

Full disclosure: I do not have the original source of all of these “origins” so I give full credit to whoever did the research and gathered them to circulate in our Viber group. Let me state here: CTTO (Credit to the Owner) as I reproduced their copy here as I found it, although I may have added a few points of my own. With profuse thanks to the unnamed source. Here they are:

1. Mabilis pa sa alas kwatro

Literal translation: Faster than 4 o’clock

Meaning: To leave in a mad rush

We often use this when we refer to someone leaving a party or a group meeting faster than you can say “Where did he go?”

Example: Nasaan na si Mario? Ayun, umuwi—mabilis pa sa alas kwatro!

Origin: “In Plaza Lawton, at the foot of the Quezon bridge, there once stood the imposing Insular Ice Plant with its 1—floor chimney. It was equipped with a loud siren that was sounded off three times in a day to indicate the start of work at 7 am, lunch break at 12 noon, and dismissal of workers at 4 pm. At the last siren signal, Insular

workers would prepare for home by heading toward the exit gates, where they fell in line to log out. There was so much anticipation for the dismissal time that workers dashed out in a rush to be at the head of the line first—faster than the 4 pm siren. Thus, the expression “Mabilis pa sa alas kwatro”.”

2.Natutulog sa pansitan

Literal translation: Sleeping on a patch of plants

Meaning: Failure to grab an opportunity because of laziness or sleeping on the job

I first heard this from a group of journalists with whom we were having dinner many years ago. A senior editor said: “Buti pa si Manny (not the real name), he already moved on to a higher paying job and seems comfortable now in his life. Hindi katulad natin, natutulog na lang tayo sa pansitan.” They all laughed at this and I immediately gathered from the context of that talk that it meant: Not all of us will be able to succeed in our endeavors or sometimes they are just not lucky at all. And maybe because they failed to grab an opportunity in their career.

Origin: “Pansit-pansitan (Shiny bush, Peperomia pellucida Linn) is a very common herb that grows quickly in cool, damp places—carpeting nooks and yards with their soft, fleshy leaves. Workers on the fields often took a respite from their job and the harsh sun by napping on a patch of pansit-pansitan—hence, ‘natutulog sa pansitan’ was coined. Of course, it may have happened that a few took their naps longer, and this sleeping on the job resulted in unfinished work—and lost opportunities.”

3. “Lutong Makaw” Literal translation: Cooked in Macau

Meaning: A decision that has been rigged; a pre-arranged victory or success

We all know Pancit Canton and Lumpiang Shanghai, two staple and favorite Chinese/Filipino dishes neither of which emanated from their name places. Well, this idiom Lutong Makaw has something to do with cooking in Macau.

Origin: “In the peacetime during the 1930’s, ‘macaw’ [derived from Macau island, off the coast of Hongkong], was an unofficial generic term used by Manilans for a Chinese immigrant, especially, cooks. Their culinary creations were called “lutong macaw”—cooked in Macau fashion.”

Macau Chinese were known for their practice of pre-arranging their ingredients well in advance, even before a dish was ordered. A trademark dish was “pansit macaw,” always a best

seller along with Pancit Canton— which assured lasting “lutong Makaw” success everytime it is served.

Another possible explanation could be traced back to Macau’s long gaming history that dates back for more than three centuries, earning the title “Monte Carlo of the Orient.”

In 1930, “Hou Heng Company” won the monopoly concession for operating casino games. Game-fixing was one of the hazards of the industry, including “cooking” (i.e tampering) the outcome of the game even before it is played. Hence the birth of the term—“Lutong makaw.” We often hear this in reference to beauty contests or even after the recent elections which members of the older generation say was “lutong makaw.”

4. “Tapos na ang boksing!” Literal translation: The boxing bout is over.

Meaning: It is finished. It is doomed and it is done.

Origin: “During the Japanese occupation, ‘tapos na ang boksing’ was a favorite expression of teenagers. Boxing then was a sport promoted and encouraged by Americans in the 1920’s. So, for pro-Japanese elements, the expression meant that America was finished and that MacArthur would never return to the Philippines. But to those who continued to believe in America’s promise, they used the phrase to denote that Japan would ultimately fall.”

Today, those teenagers/boxing fans have become seniors and yet they still use “tapos na ang boksing” when they feel there are occasions when there is no longer hope for their desired outcome to happen.

5. “Noong bata pa si Sabel”

Literal translation: When Sabel was still young

Meaning: A descriptor for something that has been in existence or

practice a long time ago

Origin: “This expression pays tribute to. Queen Isabella II of Spain who reigned from 1843 to 1868. ‘Noong bata pa si Sabel “literally means “when Isabel was a child,’ hence when the world was younger.

Queen Isabel’s term was rocked with internal palace intrigues, influence peddling, and conspiracies which ended with her exile and abdication. Queen Isabel’s profile appeared in local 1860’s coins; her bronze statue stands on Liwasang Bonifacio.

Interestingly, the late National Artist Alejandro Roces contends that Isabel’s enemies referred to her as “la perra” (the bitch) hence, the coins that carried her profile became known as “perra” or ”pera” which is the Tagalog term we Pinoys use for all forms of money.”

So when someone tells you your idea or look is “noong bata pa si Sabel,” it means you are outdated and perhaps no longer relevant/out of fashion.

Literal translation: Up to the Pier

Meaning: To be left behind with an unkept promise

Origin: “The assignment of American military servicemen in Clark, Subic and Sangley Point beginning in the 1900’s spawned the beginnings of our entertainment industry that included food, drinks, dancing, and later, of course—damsels!

Throughout the 30’s to the’60’s, relationships were formed by Americans on furlough with local girls—many from the bars and the dancing halls. Some affairs were for real, but still, hundreds of others ended at the departure area—“hanggang pier”.

Thus, the expression has come to mean that a person would not keep his promise, or that a Pinay had been left behind by a Kano, often with a Fil-Am

baby souvenir—at the pier.”

This phrase has extended its use to apply to Filipino women who fall for foreigners who visit or stay in the country but when these foreigners choose to leave, the ladies end up “hanggang pier” only (although this is now figurative because when the men leave, it’s usually by air—no longer by ship, which is what the “pier” word suggests.

7. “Nineteen kopong-kopong” Literal translation: 19 something something

Meaning: It refers to a time so long ago that nobody remembers anymore; in other words, it means very old.

Origin: “By the 1950’s, the decade of the 1900s was considered a long time ago. When people wanted to refer to an event in the forgotten past, they always reckon that it must have occurred sometime in the 1900s…hence the term “Nineteen kopong kopong”

“Kopong” is an Indonesian word that was also used in the Philippines, meaning “no content, empty”—thus, zilch or zero, as in 19 zero-zero!”

The next time you hear or encounter any of the above Pinoy expressions, feel free to give your companions a brief explanation of their true origin and for sure you can make them smile.

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premiere association for senior communications professionals around the world.

Joy Lumawig-Buensalido is the President and CEO of Buensalido PR and Communications. She was past Chairman of the IPRA Philippine chapter for two terms.

PR Matters is devoting a special column each month to answer our readers’ questions about public relations. Please send your questions or comments to askipraphil@gmail.com.

6. “Hanggang Pier”

JPGT Series skills test major boost to young golfers

THE youngsters continue to relish the challenge they face in the Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) Series, a golf development program aimed at reinforcing the players’ skills set by focusing on the three fundamental aspects employed in the sport.

Tournament director Jack Imperial has noted the great enthusiasm and keen interest shown by the participants eight legs into the International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s (ICTSI) initial foray in the junior ranks, particularly in the drive, chip and putt skills challenge at some of the country’s top championship courses.

“It’s like everyone is enthusiastic about joining, playing [in the JPGT]. Even if the tournaments are held out-of-town and on Sundays, they still choose to come and play,” said Imperial of the weekend-only series which features various age-group categories for boys and girls.

“One can see their eagerness, especially with the DCP [drive, chip and putt],” he added.

Imperial pointed out the skills challenge is something different from the traditional 18-hole tournament format, also a feature of the JPGT Series, for it helps develop the players’ confidence. It also fosters camaraderie among the players and parents.

“The pressure is there and it’s a good training for them because everybody is watching, their peers and friends, including their parents. They develop confidence in the process,” said Imperial.

“Personally, I can see their progress because they make it a point to practice during the break [from school],” he added.

JOHN

clears 6.0 meters anew this season in men’s pole vault action at the world championships Armand Duplantis rules for the second straight year in Budapest AP

E.J. AT WORLDS: HISTORIC SILVER

ERNEST JOHN “EJ” OBIENA cleared 6.0 meters for the second time this season to settle for silver behind Armand Duplantis at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Sunday.

Man, did Obiena fly at the National Athletics Centre to cement his stature as one of the world’s elite in the event and enough to give Duplantis, who remained undisputed in the world championships, a scare ahead of next year’s Paris Olympics. “I sensed he was going to have a huge day,”

Obiena’s personal adviser Jim Lafferty told BUSINESSMIRROR via chat message. “He’s a warrior, an absolute warrior.”

Obiena’s bronze at Eugene, Oregon, last year was already historic, but he raised the bar higher in Budapest.

It was fun, too, watching the 27-year-old Tondo boy providing a glimpse that sooner or later, he could be the next pole vault king.

Obiena missed his first attempt at 6.0 meters but got it on his second try.

After the deadlock at 6.0 meters, Duplantis, 23, raised the bar to 6.05 and got it right away. He next targeted 6.10 meters and cleared it right away to claim the gold medal, his second consecutive in the worlds.

But he didn’t want to stop right there.

Duplantis wanted three cracks at breaking his world record mark of 6.22m, the one he keeps breaking again and again. It didn’t happen at 6.23m. He was just too drained on a muggy night. Still, it made for great theater and after Duplantis rose from the mat following his final attempt, he

Asian teams grope for form in World Cup

THE six Asian teams in the FIBA World Cup lost their opening matches with host Philippines putting up the toughest fight in its 87-81 loss to the Dominican Republic on opening day Friday at the Philippine Arena.

Gilas Pilipinas engaged the Karl-Anthony Towns-led Dominican Republic to 19 deadlocks and 15 lead changes before melting after Utah Jazz star Jordan Clarkson fouled out with under four minutes remaining to the disappointment of a FIBA-record crowd of 38,115 who watched the game at the Bocaue facility.

The Philippines faced Angola on Sunday night hoping to nail a win that would boost its stock to clinch a Paris Olympics berth that goes to the best performing team from Asia in the World Cup. Co-host Japan managed to put up a fight but wilted just the same against Germany, 81-63, in Okinawa.

The Akatsuki Five drew splendid performances from Yuta Watanabe and Yudai Baba but absorbed the 18-point defeat though, 81-63, at the hands to the Mo Wagner-led Germans.

Jordan also tried to hold its ground but lost steam in the end with former Philippine Basketball Association Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s 21-point all-around effort going to naught in a 92-71 rout from Greece.

Lebanon bowed to Latvia by 37 points, 107-70, and Iran couldn’t bully Brazil and took a 41-point beting, 100-59.

China? The perennial Asian champions crumbled at the hands of Serbia by 42 points, 105-63. AP

UN General Assembly declares December 21 World Basketball Day

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THE United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has unanimously adopted the resolution declaring December 21 as the World Basketball Day.

The Philippines and Indonesia, two of three co-hosts of the ongoing FIBA World Cup, as well as Nicaragua and Peru initiated the UN resolution co-sponsored by 77 other countries.

“With the historic resolution,” the Philippine Mission to the United Nation in New York said, “basketball became the first team sport to be recognized by the UN General Assembly with its own international day.”

The UNGA approved the resolution Friday hours after the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan opened the FIBA World Cup.

“It is an honor for my own country, the Philippines, to host this global competition because basketball is in our national DNA,” Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Antonio Lagdameo said in his sponsorship speech before the UNGA.

faced the crowd and took a bow.

Obiena went for 6.05m but failed. He got the bar higher at 6.10m and missed twice.

“EJ set the tone as the first to attempt those heights,” Lafferty said. “I really believe EJ helped pull the whole field along with him.” Bergen Jump Challenge last June 10 in Norway. He kept his Asian record at that height.

Australia’s Kurtis Marschall and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Chris Nilsen of the US shared the bronze medal at 5.95m. Thibaut Collet of France was fifth with 5.85m for an Olympic spot, while the two Asians, Bokai Huang and Jie Yao of China, cleared 5.75 meters to finish sixth and ninth, respectively. Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association chief Terry Capistrano congratulated Obiena for making world track and field history.

“We’re proud of you EJ,” Tolentino said.

DUPLANTIS DEFENSE TITLE

EVEN though he’d captured yet another gold medal, Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis wanted more. He always does.

Before leaving the stage at world championships on Saturday, the vaulter had one request—raise the bar. He wanted three cracks at breaking his world record mark but missed.

“It was great fun,” Duplantis said. For him, anyway, the reigning Olympic champion heading into Paris next summer.

“Are you ever going to let us win?” Marschall cracked.

Duplantis gave his competitors a glimmer of hope when he said he’s thinking of switching to the long jump. Of course, he was joking.

The 23-year-old who grew up in Louisiana, went to LSU and competes for his mom’s home country of Sweden has taken his sport to new heights. It’s reflected in the performances at worlds. All four of the medal winners had to clear at least 5.95 (19-6 1/4) just to bring home some hardware, the first time that’s happened at worlds in the event. With AP

In observing the World Basketball Day on December 21, the UN “invites” the world to “disseminate the advantages of basketball through educational and public awareness-raising activities.” The resolution also commended the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, for hosting the World Cup and encouraged the relevant authorities to exert every effort to ensure that the Basketball World Cup 2023 will leave a lasting legacy for peace and development around the world.

“As a globally recognized sport, basketball transcends borders, cultures, and languages,” Lagdameo said. “It serves as a unifying force where people from different backgrounds can come together, bond and communicate with each other, creating connections and breaking down barriers, and thereby contributing to peace.” Lagdameo noted that the Philippines has “more basketball courts per capita than anywhere in the world. In 2019, the Philippines had the highest basketball popularity index score globally.

In 1975, the Philippines established Asia’s first and oldest professional basketball league, the Philippine Basketball Association, which remains active and competitive to this day.” Basketball was played for the first time on December 21, 1891 at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, after Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, developed the game to keep his students active during the winter months.  Basketball has grown to become one of the most popular and widely played sports in the world, with at least 450 million people worldwide playing basketball today according to FIBA figures.

Basketball has also been a part of the Olympic program since its introduction at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and enjoys a strong presence in North America, especially the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa and other regions.

VP SARA, SENATOR ‘TOL’ OPEN ROTC GAMES IN ZAMBOANGA

VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte urged cadets to be role models in discipline and unity during the opening ceremony of the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Games Mindanao Leg on Sunday at the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial (JFEM) Sports Complex in Zamboanga City.

“Be a role model in discipline. That’s why we are supporting ROTC,” said the 45-year-old Duterte, a reservist Army Colonel.  Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino, on the other hand, thanked Vice President Duterte saying “it’s truly significant since she is a genuine advocate of youth and sports development through military service.”

“I am hopeful that our shared goals will be achieved, and that ROTC will be a vital force in ensuring that our young people are shaped and formed to protect this nation, promote unity and peace, and to lead with utmost integrity and honor,” added Tolentino about the Vice President from Davao City.  Duterte gave 11 teams seeing action in the competition P30,000 each as an added boost to their needs.

“Sports development is likewise an important aspect of nation-building. Sports can bring people together from differ-

World basketball a sight to behold

WHAT makes basketball fun to watch especially in this FIBA World Cup is seeing how every country has improved their game.

This is what FIBA exactly wanted when they allowed the National Basketball Association (NBA) players to play during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The game exploded and opened up. If foreign players were a rarity in the NBA,

now they are now just a regular sight but some of the best in the league and the world.

Over here in Asia, time was the Philippines’ biggest headache was Japan, South Korea and China. Then the Middle Eastern squads such as Iran, Lebanon and Jordan improved. Now you have to add the Oceania squads in Australia and New Zealand.  During the 1960s up to the mid-80s, Japan was a huge rival but it took several steps backward as the country developed into a football nation to add to baseball. It’s great to see a renaissance in Japan’s game as well as their approach.

This is actually cause for concern because when Japan puts their mind to something, they excel. I figure in the next 10 years they will make serious inroads in Asian and world basketball supremacy. Even our own neighbors such as Thailand and Indonesia have improved! And when you think about it, Thailand and Indonesia are football countries. How much better will they get if they throw in more resources?

The Dominican Republic and Venezuela? Man, these are baseball countries and look at them now! I do wonder why and how they have sent players to the NBA. I think it is amazing.  Some four decades ago, the only opponent (well, not really unless they cheated) the United states had was the Soviet Union. Now, they have to bring their A-game every night if they want to get past every opponent.

They have formed a healthy rivalry with Spain, Argentina, or to an extent, Greece. Speaking of those countries, remember after the USA and Russia, everyone trained their sights on the Balkans—Serbia and Croatia—as the top hops countries and feeder of talent.

Slovenia has crowded that conversation.

I am actually bemused when people say that we, the Philippines, have been left behind. Really? with the resources put in play? With the sheer number of people playing the game? With the number of coaches taking clinics outside the country? We have a surplus of players! Now local players are plying their trade not just in Asia but all over the world.

The correct answer is...I think the world has caught up. More and more people are playing basketball. When making the former statement, it is actually condescending. It is like saying no one else except the Philippines has the right.

Conversely, has the United States stagnated? Not at all. They are still the best except that the rest of the world is tugging on Superman’s cape. And where do you expect the United States to take the game? At what level? The game is already played above the rim. Can it be taken to another level?

Someone tell me what level that is because that is a scoop.

I am enjoying this FIBA World Cup by watching every team. Pun intended, am having a ball.

ent backgrounds and cultures, just as we have been brought here today,” said Tolentino, brainchild of the ROTC Games. “It can help  promote physical fitness, mental well-being, and social cohesion, helping to create a sense of national identity.”

“ROTC is a very potent tool for the development of a sense of discipline, teamwork, and patriotism in young people, which can help them become more responsible and productive citizens and leaders of the future,” he added.

More than 1,300 cadets from the Philippine Army, Air Force and Navy in the region are vying in seven sports in four venues with the JFE memorial sports complex as main hub. Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe and Reps. Manuel Jose Dalupe and Khymer Adan Olaso and other top local officials joined Vice President Duterte and Tolentino in opening the games.

“It is an honor to stand before you today as we kick off this remarkable Philippine ROTC Games Mindanao Regional Leg, that celebrates not only the spirit of sportsmanship but also the commitment to duty, discipline, and patriotism,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann in a speech read by his consultant, Kirsten Evan Regodon.

Suarez wins US debut

OLYMPIAN Charly “The King Warrior” Suarez beat the Dominican Republic’s Yohan Vasquez via unanimous decision in his fight debut on US soil on Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

It was a vengeful victory of sorts for Suarez, whose victory came two days after Gilas Pilipinas suffered an 87-81 defeat to the Dominican Republic in the FIBA World Cup at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue.

“God has proven to be mighty yet again,” Suarez said—who improved to 16 wins with nine knockouts after the fight promoted by Top Rank—in his Facebook post.

“Grateful for entrusting us with another victory.”

Suarez toyed with the 29-year-old Vasquez in their non-title super featherweight clash and send the Dominicano to his fourth loss in 29 fights.

The judges saw the match 98-92, 98-92 and 97-93 for Suarez, who aims to fight for a world title in the US.

VICE President Sara Duterte (center seated), also Secretary of the Department of Education, and Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino (third from left) lead the opening ceremony with (from left) Philippine Sports Commission consultant to the chairman Kirsten Evan Regodon, Defense Undersecretary Henry Robinson Jr., Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe and Navy Reserve Command chief Marines Major General Joseph Ferrous Cuison.

THE Dominican Republic’s Karl-Anthony Towns defends Italy’s Achille Polonara during their match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday. The Dominicanos won, 87-82. AP

UNGCO

ERNEST

“EJ” OBIENA